FROM A PSALTER-HOURS IN LATIN.

MEDIEVAL ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAVES, OFFERED INDIVIDUALLY.

(Southern Netherlands: ca. 1280). 110 x 83 mm. (4 3/8 x 3 1/4"). Single column, 19 lines, in a gothic hand.

Rubrics in red, simple line fillers in red or blue, each leaf with multiple one-line initials in red or blue, and one two-line gilt initial on blue and pink ground, with bar border extensions in gold, blue, and pink. Occasional contemporary or later marginal notations; upper corners with modern foliation in pencil. Gold occasionally just a little dulled, some leaves with small smudges, light soiling, or other minor issues, but generally in extremely pleasing condition.

Featuring restrained but elegant decoration, these leaves come from a charming little Psalter-Hours attributed to the Morgan 183 Group. Active in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, and so-named for a highly decorative manuscript once owned by J. Pierpont Morgan, the artists of this group are considered important purveyors of the gothic style from Paris into Liege and the Southern Netherlands. Our parent manuscript was probably executed in Brabant or Hainault, based on the presence of certain saints associated with these cities that appear in the Litany (for example, Sts. Waldetrudis of Mons and Amalberga of Maubeuge). Psalter-Hours are not nearly as common on the market as their later descendants, Books of Hours; and the present leaves are quite lovely examples, being neatly executed and in very nice condition. (ST20846B)

Price: $400.00