Book of Hours Leaf (Decorative Panel Borders)

This is an original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. The text consists of 16 lines, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in gothic script on animal vellum. There are 15 one-line initials in gold, on blue and red ground, with delicate white tracery. The panel borders (on both sides) contain an intricate ivy-leaf design with flowers and berries (including strawberries – the symbol of perfect righteousness) in gold, blue, red, orange and green.The illuminated initial D” begins Psalm 24:8-22: “Dulcis et rectus?” (The Lord is sweet and righteous?).Book of Hours are personal prayerbooks of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time. They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery – made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them.

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