15th Century French Book of Hours Leaf with elaborate border design

French Book of Hours, 15^th century (c.1430).

Leaf from a French Book of Hours. Text is written single column in brown and red inks on vellum. The leaf has two nice 2-line initials, one on each side, as well as a half line filler, done in red and blue ink, with burnished gold leaf highlighting the letter. The exceptional attribute of the current leaf is the intricate border extending the entire 17-line text. The ivy and flower border is done in blue ink, with burnished gold lead throughout that sparkles nicely in the light.

The text is from Ecclesiasticus, Chapter 24, which partially translates as:

“And so I was established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was I Jerusalem. And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the assembly full of saints.”

SIZE:

148mm X 110mm

NOTABLE ATTRIBUTES:

2 large initials (one recto, one verso), with red and blue ink, brightened up with burnished gold leaf.

Nicely done long border of ivy and flowers on both side, done in blue ink with burnished gold leaf.

CONDITION:

Some toning and moderate soiling. Some cockling of vellum. Overall a nice illustrated leaf.