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IM-10446: (125 x 82mm) 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 on a burnished gold ground with a floral interior design in pink and green; two two-line illuminated initials in blue or pink with delicate white tracery on a burnished gold ground, having a floral interior in green and blue on burnished gold ground; three one-line illuminated initials  and three line extenders in burnished gold, on blue & red ground with delicate white tracery. Panel border contains highly decorative floral designs with berries and acanthus leaves in blue, pink, green, orange and brushed and burnished gold. Northern France (Brittany?), c. 1450-60.

Miniature painting (70 x 44mm) of The Annunciation to the Virgin:  The Virgin Mary kneels with arms clasped in prayer. She turns towards the Angel Gabriel who enters the room.  The banner which is wrapped around the column reads "Ave Maria gratia plena...". The Holy Spirit, in the form of a radiant dove, hovers above Mary's head.   The border surrounding the miniature contains highly decorative floral designs in multiple colors and burnished gold with a blue angel with gold and red wings at the upper right, and a peacock (symbol of immortality) and rooster (symbol of the passion) along the bottom.

This leaf opens the Hours of the Virgin - Hour of Matins.  The three-line illuminated "D" begins:  "Domine labia..." (Thou O Lord wilt open my lips).