Overview
Facsimile Description Print    Online Since: 12/10/2017

Book of Hours (Use of Paris) – Fragment

Parchment · 1 leaf · 1425 – 1450 CE · France (N.) · 182mm x 128mm

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Hartford, CT, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Fifty Original Leaves of Medieval Manuscripts (Set 10), no. 30, 132
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Scholarly descriptions
  • Simmons School of Library and Information Science (Boston, Massachusetts) LIS 464 (Fall 2017) observations
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Participating Libraries
Hartford, CT, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Century
Text Language
Script Type
Liturgica
Persons
Ege, Otto F. (Author, Fragmentator)
Ricketts, Coella Lindsay, 1859-1941 (Author, Previous Owner)
Places
Summary

inc/exp : E tres doulce dame pour ycelle grant ioye que vous eustes quant vostre doux filz reput... / ...resusciter au sauvent de mon ame. amen. ave ma[ria]. E tres doulce dame pour ycelle grant ioye q[ue] --- content description : this leaf is a fragment from the "15 Joys of the Virgin," an accessory text to Books of Hours common in 15th century France. The section contains fifteen two-part prayers: the first part appeals directly to the Virgin Mary, and recounts a happy moment from her life, and the second part entreats the Virgin for personal salvation. This leaf includes the 10-12th of these prayer sequences, as well as the beginning of the 13th "Joy of the Virgin." Moments from the lives of the Holy Family referenced in this leaf include the miracle of five loaves and two fish, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. The text is written in local language (French). As Drigsdahl has observed, much variation between language and content can occur between existing “15 Joys of the Virgin” passages, as scribes can feel inspired to take liberties when writing vernacular prayers in their own language. --- physical and illumination description : 14 lines per page; red ruling (probably ink or plummet); illuminated borders and initials: leaf contains 6 illuminated initials, of 2 size patterns; 2-line initials indicate new prayer initiation sequence, and are decorated with gold and floral patterns; 1-line illuminated initials contain coloration and gold leaf, but no floral illustrations; border: narrow two-part line (exterior gold, interior blue/red) by text on side of page opposite gutter, with sprouting rinceau surrounding ¾ of text. Rinceau with gold trefoil leaves, red/white flowers, blue/white flowers, and spiny green leaves (according to Ege, possibly daisy, thistle, cornbottle, and stock); includes line-fillers: ½ red, ½ blue, gold circle in center, white line pattern. -- evidence of use or wear : item taped to matte verso side up; evidence of sewing holes on left recto, right verso; faint folio numeration, 132, bottom left recto; cropped text (possibly catchword) on bottom right verso.

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