FROM A LARGE BOOK OF HOURS, WITH TEXT IN LATIN

France [probably Besançon], 3rd quarter of 15th century. 239 x 165 mm. (9 3/8 x 6 1/2"). Single column, 15 lines in an elegant gothic book hand.
Rubrics in dark pink, line fillers in pink and blue with white tracery and gold bezants, most leaves with several one-line initials (and some with one or more two-line initials) in burnished gold on dark pink and blue ground with white tracery, both sides of each leaf with a lovely panel border composed of hairline vines with gold ivy and bezants, colorful acanthus, and flowers, some with attractive vases or especially imaginative flowers. ◆A few leaves with some general light yellowing or soiling to vellum, occasional trivial spots or stains, some leaves with a thumb smudge or two to the borders, but on the whole IN VERY FINE CONDITION--clean, bright, and well preserved--and with extremely spacious margins.

From a large Book of Hours probably produced in Besançon, these leaves feature very pretty panel borders with flowers and unique acanthus flourishes on every page, including a few examples with gilt or painted vases and lovely flower arrangements, or large, fanciful single flowers with exaggerated petals, stamens, and leaves. We can see that these leaves come from a costly production from such luxurious touches as the unusually wide margins, proliferation of bezants and ivy leaves in each panel border, and (on sister leaves) numerous gilt initials. For additional leaves from this same manuscript at different prices--including examples with charming marginal zoomorphic inhabitation--please check our website..