Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 18 lines of text, written in Latin, on animal vellum. (175x120mm) . Ruled in red with dark brown ink, in fine gothic textura script, with rubrics (headings) in red. Rinceaux border trailing vines & flowers into the margin.
The 5-line historiated initial is a rare example from the Egerton Master workshop
Paris, c.1407.
The historiated initial ''O'' contains a painting of the Virgin Mary and begins the Obsecro Te: ''Obsecro Te…'' (I beseech you, Mary, holy lady, mother of God, most full of piety, daughter of the greatest king, most glorious mother, mother of orphans…).
Mary is standing between two trees with her right hand over her heart and her left hand at her side. She is wearing a blue dress and robe, and a gold halo. The background is composed of delicate gold tracery against a red ground. (Comparable historiated initials are found in the Egerton Hours: see British Library, Egerton MS 1070, f.25. For further reference to the parent manuscript of this leaf see Hindman, A Selection of Illuminated Manuscripts, 1989, item 15.)
Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.
