c 1425-50 MEDIEVAL BOOK OF HOURS - ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT on VELLUM, FRANCE

Description: Illuminated Manuscript Book of Hours Leaf, France, c. 1425-50Six Elaborate Large Illuminated Initials IM-13500: Original leaf from a French medieval illuminated manuscript Book of Hours. 17 lines of hand-ruled text written in Latin with black ink in fine bold gothic textura script on animal vellum with rubrics in red.Lavishly embellished with six two-line illuminated initials, four one-line illuminated initials, and two illuminated line extenders alternating in burnished gold with blue penwork and blue with red penwork – many extending into the margins. Origin: Paris, France - circa 1425-1450 Size: 6.1 x 4.5 inches, (155 x 114mm) The two-line illuminated “M” begins: “Mentibus…” Into our minds, we beseech, Lord, benignly pour forth the Holy Ghost: of Whose wisdom we were created, and by Whose providence we are governed).The two-line illuminated gold “P” begins: “Protege…” (Protect, O Lord, thy servants with thine armies of peace: and make those who trust in the patronage of the Blessed Mary, ever virgin: secure against all enemies).The two-line illuminated “E” begins: “Ecclesiam…” (Make thy church shine, we ask, O kindly Lord, so that illuminated by the teachings of blessed John thy apostle and evangelist it may reach thy eternal gifts). The two-line illuminated gold “D” begins the Hours of the Cross – Hour of None: “Deus…” (Incline unto my aid O God…).The two-line illuminated “H” begins: “ Hora…” (Jesus Lord at the ninth hour his spirit forth did send: Crying Eli and his soul to father did comment: With a lance a soldier did pierce through his tender side: The earth then trembled and the sun his shining light did hide). Provenance: Written for the Use of Paris – Rare inclusion of St. Bruno in the Litany indicates possible ownership by a monk of the Carthusian Monastery of Vauvert (Order of St Bruno), Paris (established 1257, dissolved 1792). This Book of Hours leaf was scribed circa 1425-1450. This is a beautiful and highly ornamental original, about 575 years old, not a reproduction. It is in exceptionally nice antiquarian condition as shown in the photos. The colors and gold are fresh and bright. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them. We have been full-time dealers in Illuminated Manuscripts, Maps, Prints and Antiquities since 1980.

Price: 375 USD

Location: Akron, Ohio

End Time: 2024-11-29T23:01:14.000Z

Shipping Cost: 14.75 USD