Book of Hours
Office of the Virgin
F-ru2e
General Information
Original Condition
Current Condition
There are tears along the spine edge of the leaf likely from the original sewing structure, but that entire edge of the leaf is covered in mildew, possible flattened cockroach frass and food stains. Food staining and blackening from dirt mar much of the margins of this leaf, particularly on the recto.
Book Decoration and Musical Notation
Fragment: This leaf is 115 x 160 mm. Damage to this fragment includes tiny holes within the text block, likely from insects, various marks and discoloration, as well as seeming mold damage along the spine edge of the leaf. On both sides of the text, there are eight examples of lombardic capital initials, four of which are illuminated with gold, while the other four are pigmented in blue. These initials alternate between black or red ink detailing. Faint red guidelines can be seen on both sides of the leaf. The vertical guidelines extend all the way to the edges of the page, while the guidelines in between the text block only extend as far as the text. There are also horizontal guidelines extending to the edges of the page underneath the very top and bottom sentences within the text. (Note: In determining the recto and verso sides of this fragment, we have used clues such as the continuation of lines of text from one side to the other, the size of the margins, and the uneven cuts on the internal edge of the fragment where it had been separated from the bifolium.)
Recto: On this side is one lombardic capital initial, the letter “M.” It is two lines tall, illuminated in gold, with a semi-grisaille rectangular background. There are three examples of rubrics on this side.
Verso: On the upper and left margins of this side, black pen-flourish decoration can be seen pressed up against the text block. It is extremely fine, sweeping and curling as in calligraphy. From the upper-left corner of the text block, the swirls extend 70 mm down and 50 mm to the right. The three left most initials on this page connect to the margin decoration. On this side is one lombardic capital initial, the letter “C.” It is two lines tall, illuminated in gold, with a semi-grisaille rectangular background. There are two examples of rubrics on this side.
Content
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Content Item
- Text Language Latin
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Content Description
This leaf comes from the Office of the Virgin for Vespers as recited from the Feast of the Purification through to the beginning of Advent.
On the recto are verse 3 (partial) to verse 7 of the hymn "Ave Maria Stella," followed by an antiphon, reference to a second antiphon and the beginning of the "Magnificat."
On the verso is the conclusion of the "Magnificat" followed by an antiphon and the entirety of "Concede nos famulus tuos."
History
Purchased in March 2024 at the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair from William Hutchison.