Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of red-ruled, Latin text, written with dark brown ink in lettre batarde script on animal vellum. (125 x 85 mm - 5 x 3.4").
Northern France (Brittany?), c. 1450-60.
One three-line illuminated initial in blue on a burnished gold ground with a floral interior in pink; two two-line illuminated initials in blue/mauve with delicate white tracery on a burnished gold ground, having floral interiors in blue, pink or green on burnished gold ground; three one-line illuminated initials and three line-extenders in burnished gold, on blue & red ground with delicate white tracery.
Panel border contains highly decorative floral designs with berries & acanthus leaves in blue, pink, green, orange and brushed and burnished gold.
Miniature painting (75x45mm) of The Presentation in the Temple: The Virgin Mary holds the Christ Child, who looks directly at the reader. Simeon stands behind the altar with hands clasped, an attendant to his left, Joseph to Mary's left, and a woman with dove-basket behind Mary.
The surrounding border contains highly decorative floral designs in multiple colors and burnished gold with a pelican (symbol of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross) and an amusing drollery.
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple is described in the Gospel of Luke 2:22-40. Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took the child to the Temple in Jerusalem (as tradition dictated). Once there, they encountered Simeon the Righteous who prophesized that the infant would redeem the world.
The two-line illuminated ''D'' begins: ''Deus...'' (Incline unto my aid O God...). The illuminated ''M'' begins the hymn: ''Memento Salutis...'' (Remember O Creator...). The illuminated ''I'' begins Psalm 125 (King James 126) 1-2: ''In convertendo...'' (When our Lord turned the captivity of Sion...).
Shipped in archival 14 x 11'' mat.
