Sold Antiques

IM-11143: (197 x 138mm) Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of red-ruled Latin text, in dark brown ink, on animal vellum.

Northern France (Paris), c. 1420-40.

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

The text is surrounded on 3 sides with an elegant rinceaux panel border in a delicate floral motif with ivy leaves in red, blue, green, orange & burnished gold; an illuminated bar extends beyond the length of the text in red, blue & burnished gold.

The two-line illuminated ''M'' begins the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) - complete: ''Magnificat...'' (My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the humility of His handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His Name. And His Mercy is from generation unto generations upon them that fear Him. He hath showed might in His arm, He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel, His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our Fathers, Abraham and his seed forever).