Original leaf from a miniature medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 13 lines of ruled text, written in Latin with dark brown ink and burnished gold rubrics in fine rounded gothic script on animal vellum. (136 x 90mm) .
One two-line illuminated initial in burnished gold with intricate violet penwork internally and extending along the margin. Nine one-line illuminated initials alternating in burnished gold with intricate violet penwork, and deep blue with intricate red penwork.
Scribed in Italy (possibly Padua), c. 1490-1500 – Italian Books of Hours are relatively scarce.
The one-line illuminated ''B'' begins Psalm 126 (King James 127) 5 : ''Beatus...'' (Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate).
The two-line illuminated ''L'' begins Psalm 147 (KJ 148) 1-7: ''Lauda...'' (Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Sion. Because he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates, he hath blessed thy children within thee...).
Provenance: ex Ferdinand Roten Gallery.
Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout, status-conscious society. They are both works of art & cultural documents of their time. They are made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them.
Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.
