Western Europe, ca. 15th century CE. A lovely double-sided vellum manuscript page exhibiting 15 lines of Latin lettre batarde script flanked by gorgeous vegetal motif margins of swirling black vines with quatrefoils, trefoils, blue bells, and circular flower buds in rich hues of lustrous gold, azurite blue, verdant green, and salmon pink on both sides. The letter of each new sentence is skillfully enlarged and embellished in gold with a blue and pink square and surrounded by ornamental striations; the largest letter, "L", likely began a new prayer. Each line where the text before the margin is adorned with a painted rectangle filled with a geometric motif. This page probably comes from a Book of Hours, a prayer book used by wealthy laypeople; or a Breviary for the clergy, the Divine Office; both included Psalms, hymns, and various prayers recited at specific hours of the day. Size: 3.625" W x 5.25" H (9.2 cm x 13.3 cm)
The word "manuscript" literally means "written by hand" and comes from the Latin words manus (hand) and scriptus (writing). The book which this page came from would have been the creation of several skilled individuals who devoted many hours to their respective tasks.
Provenance: ex Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#158258
Condition
Very light fading and minor staining commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellently preserved and intact.