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IM-10732: (150 x 110mm) Original leaf from a 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, four illuminated one-line initials, and two illuminated line-extenders in burnished gold on a red and blue ground with delicate white penwork. Both sides have a burnished gold bar adjacent to a red and blue bar extends along the length of the text and ends in the top and bottom margins with graceful acanthus leaves in pink, blue and green; top and bottom margins are an elegant rinceaux design with floral, vines and berries in pink, green, blue, red and burnished gold.  

Flanders (Ghent/Bruges), c. 1430-50.

The two-line illuminated ''N'' begins the Nunc Dimittis -  a prayer recited by Simeon at the presentation of Jesus at the temple. (Luke 2:29-31):  ''Nunc...'' (Now dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, in peace, according to Thy word: For mine own eyes hath seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared in the sight of all the peoples, A light to reveal Thee to the nations and the glory of Thy people Israel).  The two-line illuminated ''G'' begins the prayer:  ''Graciam...'' (Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection). The two-line ''U'' begins: ''Ure...'' (Enflame O Lord our reins, and heart, with the fire of Thy Holy Spirit: to the end that we may serve Thee, with a chaste body, and please thee with a clean heart).