Book of hours [2 leaves].

1415

TWO ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAVES WITH UNFINISHED MARGINAL DECORATION, FROM A BOOK OF HOURS IN LATIN. TEXTS FROM NONE AND VESPERS FROM THE HOURS OF THE CROSS. (France, ca. 1415) 6 3/4 x 4 3/4". Single column, 16 lines, in a bold and attractive uncluttered gothic book hand. Each leaf with identical decoration: capitals struck with yellow, three one-line and three two-line initials in gold on a blue and magenta ground with white tracery, two line endings in the same colors, BOTH SIDES OF BOTH LEAVES WITH DELICATE DRAWINGS IN LIGHT BROWN INK OF FLORAL SPRAYS emanating from the two-line initials (and in the upper and lower margins of the recto of each leaf), THE DRAWINGS MEANT TO BE PAINTED IN, BUT THE WORK NEVER COMPLETED. Just a hint of soiling, some minor fading in the text without loss of legibility, otherwise in fine condition.

These leaves, which appeared consecutively in the Book of Hours from which they were taken, are excellent specimens of the illuminator's work in progress. It is clear from these examples that the scribe's work was done first and that another artisan, no doubt with higher status, followed up by painting the border decoration (a third person may have done the initials and line endings as an intermediate step)."

Book of Hours (unfinished)

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