Lovely Book of Hours leaf from France, 15th century.
Wonderful vellum leaf with large illuminations. Text is in single-column, 22-lines in length. 8 initials elaborately done throughout, with 6 on the recto and 2 on verso. Two of the initials are large (2-lines high). Initials have a lot of red and blue coloring, as well as bright burnished gold leaf. 4 line-fillers are also present, with various red, blue, green, and gold.
The main focus of the leaf is the very well done intricate illuminated border on both recto and verso. Bright and full, the gold background is filled with flowers, leaves and roses of green, red, and blue. Set in the middle is what appears to be a brown fox among more floral decoration in red and blue. The detail of the fox is very detailed, with the underbelly area being shaded and the ears tipped.
The leaf is tipped into a printed paper folder with a window cutout revealing the illuminated border of the recto.
Title on folder reads: “Book of Hours Leaf. With Renaissance Border. France, 15th Century”
SIZE:
148mm X 125mm
NOTABLE ATTRIBUTES:
3 large initials (one recto, one verso), in red and blue ink. Finely detailed penwork flourish dominating the inner border of both sides, extending the entire length of the text block.
CONDITION:
Overall cream toning to leaf. Illumination is nice and bright. A great example from a skilled artist.
