Medieval Book of Hours Leaf - Exquisite Borders!

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Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 14 lines of red-ruled text written in Latin with dark brown ink in gothic script on animal vellum. (156 x 116mm).

One two-line illuminated initial in pink with white penwork and an interior floral design in red and blue all on a burnished gold ground and extending into the margin with a rinceaux border in burnished gold, red and blue; nine one-line illuminated initials and seven illuminated line-extenders  in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork.

Burnished gold and blue bars extend the length of the text on one side with an exquisite three-quarter rinceaux border in elegant vines, flowers and berries (including strawberries - symbol of perfect righteousness) in burnished gold, red, blue, green, violet and white.                                          

Northeastern France (probably Metz), c. 1420-30.

The two-line illuminated ''M'' begins Psalm 50 (KJ 51) 3-11: ''Miserere...'' (Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.  And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.  Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.  To thee only have I sinned and have done evil before thee:  that thou mayst be justified in thy words, and mayst overcome when thou art judged.  For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sin did my mother conceive me.  For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.  Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow...).

Shipped in archival 14x11'' mat.

  • Inventory# IM-10724
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