Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours, with illuminations by a Master of the Boucicaut School. 15 lines of red-ruled, Latin text, in dark brown ink in gothic book-hand script on animal vellum. (127 x 92mm) .
Two two-line illuminated initials in burnished gold on blue & pink ground extending into the margin with a delicate rinceaux design in burnished gold & blue. Northern France (Paris), c. 1420-30.
This leaf continues the scarce Hours of the Angels - the Seventh Order of Angels (Archangels).
The two-line illuminated ''D'' begins a prayer celebrating the Archangel Raphael: ''Deus qui per sanctum archangelum...'' (God who by the archangel Raphael, your servant...).
The two-line illuminated ''O'' begins a prayer celebrating the Archangel Raphael: ''Omnipotens...'' (Almighty and everlasting God...).
Provenance: Sotheby's - ex G. Barilla of Geneva, and formerly Frederick Fowler collection (England c. 1820's).
Seventh Order of Angels: ARCHANGELS. They are most frequently mentioned throughout the Bible and have a unique role as God's messenger to people at critical times in history and salvation as in the Annunciation and Apocalypse. A feast day celebrating the Archangels Michael, Gabriel & Raphael is celebrated September 29th.
Presented in an archival 14x11'' mat.
