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IM-10267: (125x85mm) Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of red-ruled, Latin text, written with dark brown ink in lettre batarde script on animal vellum. One three-line illuminated initial in blue with liquid gold leaves on a burnished gold ground, having a floral interior in pink on burnished gold ground; five one-line illuminated initials and four line-extenders in burnished gold, on blue & red ground with delicate white tracery.   

Northern France (Brittany?),  c. 1450-60.

Miniature painting (70x45mm) of The Visitation:  The Virgin Mary greets Elizabeth who places her left hand on Mary’s abdomen her right hand clasps Mary’s left. Set in a beautiful landscape with towers in the background.  The border surrounding the miniature contains highly decorative floral designs in multiple colors and burnished gold with an ape sitting on the rim of a basket in the lower margin, and a whimsical drollery in the left margin.

The one-line illuminated “E” begins the conclusion of the Te Deum: “Et laudamus…” (And we praise thy name forever: and forever and ever.  Vouchsafe O Lord this day: to keep us without sin.  Have mercy upon us O Lord: have mercy upon us.  Let thy mercy O Lord be upon us: even as we have hoped in thee. In thee O Lord have I hoped: let me not be confounded forever). The two-line illuminated “D” opens the Hour of Lauds: “Deus…” (Incline unto my aid O God…).