Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 16 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in gothic script on animal vellum.(170 x 120mm).
One two-line illuminated initial in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork and extending into the margin in a rinceaux border in burnished gold; thirteen one-line illuminated initials alternating in burnished gold with blue penwork and deep blue with red penwork.
Italy, c. 1480
The two-line illuminated ''D'' begins Habacuc (Habakkuk) 3: 2-8: ''Domine audivi...'' (O Lord, I have heard thy hearing, and was afraid. O Lord, thy work, in the midst of the years bring it to life: In the midst of the years thou shalt make it known: when thou art angry, thou wilt remember mercy. God will come from the south, and the holy one from Mount Pharan: His glory covered the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise. His brightness shall be as the light; horns are in his hands: There is his strength hid: Death shall go before his face. And the devil shall go forth before his feet. He stood and measured the earth. He beheld, and melted the nations: and the ancient mountains were crushed to pieces. The hills of the world were bowed down by the journeys of his eternity. I saw the tents of Ethiopia for their iniquity, the curtains of the land of Madian shall be troubled...).
Provenance: ex Ferdinand Roten Gallery, Baltimore.
Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.
