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IM-9878: (240x170mm) Original leaf from an unusually large medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 16 lines of ruled gothic textura script, written in Latin with dark brown ink, on animal vellum. Four illuminated two-line initials in pink or blue on a burnished gold ground and each having a floral interior in colors including blue, mauve and orange.  Exceptional  full rinceaux border with an intricate floral motif containing strawberries (symbol of perfect righteousness) in colors of blue, mauve, red, green, and burnished gold!! 

France: Paris, c. 1415

The illuminated “P” begins: "Per te..." (Through thee, O Mother of God, has the life we had lost been given back to us: for, from heaven receiving Him who became Thy Son, thou on the world hast bestowed its Savior...).  The illuminated "M" begins:  "Mentibus..." (Into our minds, we beseech, Lord, the Holy Spirit benignly pour: by Whose wisdom we were created and by Whose providence we are governed).  The illuminated "E" begins: "Ecclesiam..." (Of Thy goodness, O Lord, shine upon Thy Church, that, enlightened by the teachings of blessed John, Thy Apostle and Evangelist, she may attain to everlasting gifts. Through our Lord).

Provenance: ex-collection Leona E. Prasse (1897-1984) Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Cleveland Museum of Art (1925-1967). Previously in the collection Otto F. Ege - Dean of the Cleveland Institute of Art & Lecturer on History of the Book in the School of Library Science, Western Reserve University.