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IM-8883: (185x118mm) Original leaf from an important printed & hand-illuminated Book of Hours. Ruled Latin text (French captions in panel borders), printed in red & black on animal vellum. Initials, paragraph markers & endings illuminated by hand in gold, on grounds of blue and/or magenta.

Printed by Philippe Pigouchet. The metal cuts were designed by the Master of Anne de Bretagne. Noted for the DECORATIVE BORDERS - the paneled surrounds relate the medieval concept of the Dance of Death – highlighting life’s inescapable conclusion by showing Death escorting six women including an elderly woman, a shepherdess and peasant woman. Produced by Nicolas Higman for Simon Vostre in Paris, Use of Rome, c. 1512. 

Provenance: ex C.W. Dyson-Perrins collection   (noted English collector of the late 19th & early 20th centuries). Sold in 1927 at Sotheby’s London to Lord Harlech.

The one-line illuminated “E” begins Psalm 39 (King James 40) 1-17: “Expectans...” (With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me. And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps. And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord. Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies...).