WHIMSICAL DRAGON, BIFOLIUM - TWO MEDIEVAL BOOK OF HOURS LEAVES, ROUEN c 1490

Description

Two original Illuminated Manuscript Book of Hours Leaves, France (Rouen), c. 1490-1510
Continuous Bifolium, elaborate Borders, with Whimsical Dragon
Text contains Suffrages of Saints
IM-11904:
Original continuous
bifolium
(two leaves – four pages) from an illuminated medieval manuscript
Book of Hours
.
25 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin in
angular gothic book-hand script
on animal vellum. Outside dimensions measure 9 x 6.5 inches
(Each leaf: 160 x 115mm – 6 ¼ x 4 ½’’).
France: Rouen (Use of Rouen) c. 1490-1510.
This is the center pair of leaves from a signature. They are written on both sides of each leaf, thus the text is continuous from the recto of the first leaf to the verso, then to the recto of the second leaf and finally to its verso. Scarce, because that can only happen on the center bifolium.
The two joined leaves impart the feeling and appearance of an open medieval book !!!
Embellished with seven two-line illuminated initials
in blue, blue and white, or red on gold ground.
Unusual vibrant and elaborate panel borders
in colorful floral and gemstone motif on a red, gold or rich sable ground –
one with a
wonderful whimsical dragon-like creature dancing in the margin
!
This leaf continues the section of
Suffrages
- prayers to saints who were considered the protectors, helpers and guardians of medieval people.  The leaf begins with suffrages of
St. Mary Magdalene
: “Maria…” (Therefore Mary poured oil on the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair, and the house was filled with the scent of the oil. Many sins were forgiven her. Because she loved much).
The
two-line illuminated “L” begins:
Grant to us, most merciful Father, that just as the Blessed Mary Magdalene obtained pardon for her sins…).
The
two-line illuminated “I” begins suffrages of St. Barbara:
“Intercessio…” (May the intercession, we pray, O Lord, of Blessed Barbara thy virgin and martyr protect us from all misfortune…).
The
two-line illuminated “D” begins suffrages of St. Margaret:
“Deus…” (Rejoice blessed Barbara, greatly powerful in doctrine by the mystery of the angel…). The remaining suffrages are for
Saints Apollonia (patron saint of dentists) and Desideratus.
This Book of Hours leaf was scribed in Rouen, France c. 1490-1510.
This is a beautiful and highly ornamental original,
more than 500 years old
, not a reproduction, and its condition is excellent, as shown in the photos. The colors and gold are particularly fresh and bright.
It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
.
Style and execution of the miniature paintings in the parent manuscript were closely related to the
Master of the Geneva Latini
(see Walter 224 & 233 for examples).
Books of Hours
are personal prayer books of a devout and status-conscious society and are not only works of art, but cultural documents of their time.They reveal a unique combination of sacred and secular imagery - made of the finest materials, by the best craftsmen, for a small audience that could both appreciate and afford them.
We have been full-time dealers in Illuminated Manuscripts, Maps, Prints and Antiquities since 1980.