LOVELY LLUMINATED LEAF FROM A 15TH-CENTURY FLEMISH BOOK OF HOURS

(ILLUMINATED LEAF). Illuminated Leaf from a Book of Hours. Flanders, 15th century. Single vellum leaf (3-1/2 by 5 inches), illuminated in gold, red and blue inks. Double window matted and framed, entire piece measures 7-1/4 by 9-1/4 inches. $2500.

Lovely illuminated leaf from 15th-century Flemish Book of Hours, with 28 one-line illuminated initials.

Originally derived from the Psalter, the Book of Hours was a medieval book of prayer containing "offices," or sets of psalms, lessons, antiphons, and prayers to be recited during each of the eight hours of the day. Its main section, the Hours of the Virgin, was an office said in honor of the Virgin Mary; other offices included the Hours of the Cross and the Hours of the Holy Spirit. This beautiful illuminated leaf features 17 lines on each side of gothic text, with one side featuring a section of the Litany of the Saints, including Saints Cecilia, Agatha, Katherina, Clara, Elizabeth and Barbara.

A beautiful illuminated leaf in fine condition, handsomely framed.