13th c. Medieval Psalter Leaf on parchment from France, ca. 1200-1225
Original leaf from a medieval manuscript executed in France, ca. 1200-1225. Written in Latin and ornately designed, on animal parchment. Nineteen lines on both recto and verso sides; written in Gothic bookhand with illuminated line endings of red, blue and gold abstract designs. Both sides have 1/4" bar borders with ornate gold initials outlined in black on burgundy and blue ground with white, red and black detailing. The verso side features eight larger miniated letters and one extremely large three-line initial "B" made of burnished gold on blue and burgundy ground with orange and white tracery that then extends with a fancy tail for another 6cm vertically to the bottom of the leaf. The recto side features the same ornate left-hand margin in a decorated vertical bar with six miniated letters made of gold that are outlined in black and on blue and burgundy ground with red, blue and gold abstract line designs.

The recto side continues Psalm 32:12-22: "deus eius populus quem..." ([Blessed is the nation] whose God is the Lord...). The large illuminated "B" begins Psalm 33: 1-5: "Bendicam Dominum..." (I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall always be in my mouth...).

Provenance: The Ken and Elizabeth Teasdale Family, St. Louis, MO
10 cm x 7 cm. Great condition.