Medieval Book of Hours Leaf, c. 1460

Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 15 lines of ruled text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in gothic script on animal vellum. Two two-line initials in blue and white on a gold ground with floral infill; two line extenders in gold, on blue and red ground with delicate white tracery. The panel borders ( both sides) contain a highly decorative floral design with flowers, berries and acanthus leaves in blue, red, green and brushed gold. From northern France: probably Paris, c. 1460The first two-line initial ‘D begins a prayer to the Archangel Michael ( Protector of the Holy Roman Empire, and patron saint of pharmacists?) The second two-line initial “D” begins a prayer to St. Katherine of Alexandria (3-4th century patron saint of libraries, philosophers, librarians?). Books of Hours are personal prayer-brooks of a devout and status-conscious society are not only works of art, but a 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 which could both appreciate and afford them.

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