Leaf from a Breviary, in Latin, decorated manuscript on vellum
Leaf from a Breviary, in Latin, decorated manuscript on vellum
[France, early 14th century]
202 x 153 mm, 33 lines written in a regular gothic bookhand in two columns, rulings in blind, capitals touched red, rubrics in red, with four large penwork initials in red or blue with flourishing in the contrasting colour (two small faint ?wax stains in outer margin).
The liturgical content shows that this leaf is from the Office of the Dead, containing prayers of Commendation for the moment near to death. Extensive and highly decorative flourishing accompanies the large initial on the recto opening the prayer ‘Proficiscere, a[n]i[m]a [Christ]iana, de h[oc] mundo’ (Go forth, O Christian soul, from this world).
The Breviary is one of the most common and essential types of medieval manuscript to survive. It is the liturgical book which unites the words for both chanted and spoken texts required for the celebration of the Divine Office, which was recited by monks (monastic use) and the secular clergy (in churches), divided into eight hours. To chant the office, texts were needed from the Psalter, Bible, Antiphonal, Hymnary, Collectar and Lectionary; from the 11th century they began to be collected together into one book. This leaf is from a nice example in a very attractive hand from early 14th century France; it has survived in very good and clean condition, though it was clearly in regular and constant use for some time. Two other leaves from the same parent manuscript recently also came to market in the USA but have now been sold.
Another three leaves are available upon request.
Leaf from a Breviary, in Latin, decorated manuscript on vellum
[France, early 14th century]
202 x 153 mm, 33 lines written in a regular gothic bookhand in two columns, rulings in blind, capitals touched red, rubrics in red, with four large penwork initials in red or blue with flourishing in the contrasting colour (two small faint ?wax stains in outer margin).
The liturgical content shows that this leaf is from the Office of the Dead, containing prayers of Commendation for the moment near to death. Extensive and highly decorative flourishing accompanies the large initial on the recto opening the prayer ‘Proficiscere, a[n]i[m]a [Christ]iana, de h[oc] mundo’ (Go forth, O Christian soul, from this world).
The Breviary is one of the most common and essential types of medieval manuscript to survive. It is the liturgical book which unites the words for both chanted and spoken texts required for the celebration of the Divine Office, which was recited by monks (monastic use) and the secular clergy (in churches), divided into eight hours. To chant the office, texts were needed from the Psalter, Bible, Antiphonal, Hymnary, Collectar and Lectionary; from the 11th century they began to be collected together into one book. This leaf is from a nice example in a very attractive hand from early 14th century France; it has survived in very good and clean condition, though it was clearly in regular and constant use for some time. Two other leaves from the same parent manuscript recently also came to market in the USA but have now been sold.
Another three leaves are available upon request.
Leaf from a Breviary, in Latin, decorated manuscript on vellum
[France, early 14th century]
202 x 153 mm, 33 lines written in a regular gothic bookhand in two columns, rulings in blind, capitals touched red, rubrics in red, with four large penwork initials in red or blue with flourishing in the contrasting colour (two small faint ?wax stains in outer margin).
The liturgical content shows that this leaf is from the Office of the Dead, containing prayers of Commendation for the moment near to death. Extensive and highly decorative flourishing accompanies the large initial on the recto opening the prayer ‘Proficiscere, a[n]i[m]a [Christ]iana, de h[oc] mundo’ (Go forth, O Christian soul, from this world).
The Breviary is one of the most common and essential types of medieval manuscript to survive. It is the liturgical book which unites the words for both chanted and spoken texts required for the celebration of the Divine Office, which was recited by monks (monastic use) and the secular clergy (in churches), divided into eight hours. To chant the office, texts were needed from the Psalter, Bible, Antiphonal, Hymnary, Collectar and Lectionary; from the 11th century they began to be collected together into one book. This leaf is from a nice example in a very attractive hand from early 14th century France; it has survived in very good and clean condition, though it was clearly in regular and constant use for some time. Two other leaves from the same parent manuscript recently also came to market in the USA but have now been sold.
Another three leaves are available upon request.