Landmark Books in All Fields
ItemID: #118417
Cost: $7,800.00

Illuminated Leaf from a Book of Hours

Book of hours

"THE GRACE OF THE HOLY GHOST FREE UNTO US BEFALL": BEAUTIFUL ILLUMINATED LEAF FROM AN EARLY 16TH-CENTURY FRENCH BOOK OF HOURS, FEATURING A LOVELY HAND-COLORED IMAGE OF THE PENTECOST

(ILLUMINATED LEAF). Illuminated Leaf from a Book of Hours. France, circa 1490. Single vellum leaf (4 by 5-3/4 inches), illuminated in gold, blue, red, green, gray, pink, orange, brown, and white inks; window matted and framed, entire piece measures 11-1/2 by 14 inches. $7800.

Beautiful illuminated miniature from a French Book of Hours, a large, hand-colored image depicting the Pentecost in crisp detail, with three lines of Latin text in batarde script and a three-line initial "D" below the image, bordered with flowers, leaves, and acanthus leaves.

This beautiful illuminated domed miniature is from a French Book of Hours, circa 1490. The large miniature domed miniature depicts the Pentecost, with the apostles kneeling in prayer and Mary traditionally dressed in her iconic blue robes. The Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove flying in through a window held open by one of the apostles—possibly Saint John. The setting is carefully depicted with a patterned floor and architectural elements ably rendered in one point perspective. The surrounding border features colorful flowers and leaves generously heightened with gilt. The text is from the Hours of the Holy Spirit and begins with a three-line initials "D" rendered in blue and gilt on a filigree pink and white ground. The verso features 16 lines of text with two two-line initials in gilt on filigree blue and pink grounds, two one-line initials in blue on red filigree, and a single line-extender.

A bit of rubbing to the apostles' robes, initial "D", and a few border elements, still quite vibrant and desirable. Near-fine condition.

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