IM-9525: (142 x 95 mm) Original leaf from an exceptionally fine 13th century French Psalter. 20 lines of Latin text written in brown & red ink on animal vellum. Two illuminated two-line initials in burnished gold, having an interior design in deep blue, red and white and on a ground of pink and white; Seventeen illuminated one-line initials alternating in deep blue with delicate red penwork, & burnished gold with delicate blue penwork; Numerous illuminated line-extenders in deep blue, red & burnished gold. France (Paris), c. 1200-25 – during the Reign of Philip Augustus.
The first one-line illuminated “I” begins Psalm 21 (King James 22) 28-32: “Adorabunt…” (And all the kindreds of the Gentiles shall adore in his sight...). The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 22 (KJ 23) complete: “Dominus…” (The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever). The second two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 23 (KJ 24) 1-6: “Domini...” (The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof...).
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