Object Description
A spectacular, previously unknown example of a leaf from a Psalter, from the reign of King Philip Augustus (1179-1223), Northern France.
The text opens with an extremely well executed and intricately illuminated initial “A” (Audite hec omnes gentes), which opens Psalm 48. The manuscript is executed in gold leaf, liquid gold, red and blue tempera on velum. It contains 21 lines of text on the recto and verso in the finest angular Gothic script, decorated with numerous initials ornamented with gold leaf highlighted by pen work ornamentation in red and blue. Red and blue ink and gold leaf are also used as a variety of colourful line fillers.
Probably produced in North-eastern France, perhaps in the region around Noyons, Soissons and Lyon, or at least strongly influenced by court productions from this area, and certainly also influenced by manuscripts produced in the Ile-de-France, especially those of the Abbey of St. Victor. Comparisons suggest that the manuscript dates from the last part of the reign of Philip August and, although its original patron cannot be identified, the lavish use of gold leaf and high artistic quality leads us to suspect that the work was made for a member of the court.
The Book of Hours is a text of Christian devotion, which spread during the Middle Ages. Books of this type are among the most interesting examples of Medieval calligraphy and decorative practice.
Period: 1179 – 1223 AD, Northeastern France.