Illuminated Manuscript Leaf: Psalms and Hourly Prayers
“And he set my feet upon a rock and directed my steps. And he put in my mouth a new song, a song to our God.”
LEAF FROM A FRENCH 15TH CENTURY BOOK OF HOURS WITH BEAUTIFUL BORDERS.
Illuminated manuscript leaf on vellum from a Book of Hours in Latin. France, likely Paris, c. 1440. Beautiful gilded design, with red, gold, blue, and green. Floral-patterned borders both recto and verso. Fifteen lines of text per page. Text from Psalm 40:1-3 and 6-8. 2-line initial E in gold with blue and pink decoration. 9 additional initials in gold with blue and pink. 7 line extenders in gold, pink, and blue.
Text in Latin reads:
Mea dominus spes eius et non respexit vanitates t in vanas filias Multa salus au domi ne dais meis mirabalia tua et aequationibus tuis non est qui simile sit Invocaverunt te et clamor lumen mutata sunt in per umbras Sacrificium et oblation oblationem noluisti: aures autem perfecisti mihi Bolocaustom et pro peccato non postulasti tu Expectans expectavi Do minum: et intendit mihi Et gaudium pacis me as et exaudiuit me de clamor me fecit, et de lacu fecit Et statuit super petram pedes meos: et direxit gressus meos Et immisit in os meum canticum novum: canticum deo nostro Loquuntur multa et iniqua bona: et sperabunt in Dño Beatus vir cujus est no
English Translation:
My hope is in the Lord, and he has not regarded vanities nor vain things. Great is the salvation from the Lord; you have worked marvelous deeds for me, and in your [judgments/thoughts] there is none like you. They have called upon you, and [in] the cry … the light … were changed into shadows (text uncertain here). Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; but ears you have formed for me. Burnt offering and for sin you did not require. Waiting I have waited for the Lord, and he inclined to me. And he heard me from my cry, and he drew me up from the pit. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps. And he placed in my mouth a new song: a song to our God. Many [shall see] and [behold] good things, and they will hope in the Lord. Blessed is the man whose…
This first passage offers a daily prayer in the Book of Hours. These pages present Psalm 40:1-3, 6-8. Books of Hours were the most produced books before the advent of printing, offering hourly prayers for Christian families.
Likely Norther France: c. 1440. Slight creasing to edge due to natural imperfections in vellum. Minor staining to upper margin that does not impact text. A bright, clean leaf.
109 x 83 mm.
Price: $350 .