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Description
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Book of Hours (Matins, Hours of the Virgin)

Lectio VIII (Admitte piissima dei) and Lectio IX (Sancta Maria, succurre miseris)

F-xelu

Utopia, armarium codicum bibliophilorum, Private Collection, Canada, Fr.G1-2

Private Catalogue, Canada, 2023. (Born Digital)

General Information

Title Book of Hours (Matins, Hours of the Virgin)
Material Parchment
Place of Origin Paris, France

Original Condition

Numbering

p. 52

Current Condition

Dimensions 155 x 110 mm

Book Decoration and Musical Notation

Description

The illuminations are concentrated on the recto (fol. 52r), including a marginal panel containing hairline vines with gold ivy, acanthus leaves, a blue flower, and a strawberry. Strawberries (by virtue of their absence of thorns, rinds, pips, or stones) were often used as symbols of the pure sweetness of the Virgin. The letter S on the bottom of the page is illuminated with lapis, red pigment, and gold. Rubrication is penned in red ink. On the verso (fol. 53v) is a smear of red pigment.

Content

  • Content Item
    • Content Description

      The leaf contains Lectio VIII and Lectio IX from Matins in the Hours of the Virgin. In books of hours, Matins (Hours of the Virgin) usually contains three or nine lessons. On the recto is the end of Admitte piissima dei (Lect. VIII), along with response (Stirps Jesse, spelled here as “iesse”), versicle (Virgo dei genetrix virga), benediction (Iube domine benidicere), and absolution (Ad societatem civium supernorum perducat nos angelorum). This side also includes the beginning of Sancta Maria, succurre miseris (Lect. IX), which continues throughout the verso. Both Stirps Jesse and Sancta Maria, succurre miseris are attributed to Bishop Fulbert of Chartres (c. 960-1028).

History

Origin

The leaf appears to have been produced, or at least intended for use, in Paris. This is evidenced by a March calendar leaf from the same book of hours (likewise sold by Pirages), wherein the feast day of Pope Innocent I is listed as March 14. While the medieval feast of Pope Innocent was often celebrated on July 28 from the thirteenth century onward, it was celebrated in Paris on March 14.

Bibliography

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