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IM-10284: (125x85mm) 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. Two two-line illuminated initials alternating in blue and pink with delicate white tracery on a burnished gold ground, and having a floral interior of green, pink/blue on burnished gold ground; six one-line illuminated initials and six line-extenders in burnished gold, on blue & red ground with delicate white tracery. Panel border contains highly decorative floral designs and acanthus leaves in blue, green, red and brushed and burnished gold. Northern France (Brittany?), c. 1450-60.

This leaf continues the Hours of the Virgin - Hour of Sext.  The two-line illuminated "Q" begins Psalm 124 (King James 125) complete: "Qui confidunt..." (They that trust in the Lord shall b e as mount Sion: he shall not be moved forever that dwelleth in Jerusalem.  Mountains are round about it: so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth now and forever.  For the Lord will not leave the rod of sinners upon the lot of the just: that the just may not stretch forth their hands to iniquity.  Do good, O Lord, to those that are good, and to the upright of heart.  But such as turn aside into bonds, the Lord shall lead out with the workers of iniquity:  peace upon Israel.).

Books of Hours are personal prayer books of a devout, status-conscious society. They are  works of art, & cultural documents of their time - revealing a unique combination of sacred & secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them.