A wonderfully decorated vellum leaf from a Book of Hours, written in Renaissance France, sometime in the 1400's, probably in the region of Tours. Two margins are full of acanthus leaves and flowers in very bright colors, many initials are done in liquid gold and red and so are the linefillers. The text is written in a brown/black bataarde hand.

The leaf, starting with "nobis in domo David pueri sui" is a section from the Canticum Zachariae or the Song of Zacharia from Luke 1. Translation, in Latin and in English, is as follows: Sections which are on the leaf are highlighted in bold

Canticum Zachariae [Luc. 1]:

Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel: quia visitavit, et fecit redemptionem plebis suae.
Et erexit cornu salutis nobis: in domo David pueri sui.
Sicut locutus est per os sanctorum: qui a saeculo sunt prophetarum eius.
Salutem ex inimicis nostris: et de manu omnium qui oderunt nos.
Ad faciendam misericordiam cum patribus nostris: et memorari testamenti sui sancti.
Iusiurandum, quod iuravit ad Abraham patrem nostrum: daturum se nobis.
Ut sine timore de manu inimicorum nostrorum liberati: serviamus illi.
In sanctitate et iustitia coram ipso: omnibus diebus nostris.
Et tu puer, propheta Altissimi vocaberis: praeibis enim ante faciem Domini, parare vias eius.
Ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi eius: in remissionem peccatorum eorum.
Per viscera misericordiae Dei nostri: in quibus visitavit nos oriens ex alto.
Illuminare his, qui in tenebris et in umbra mortis sedent: ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis.
Song of Zacharia [Luke 1]:

Blessed be our Lord God of Israel: because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people.
And hath erected the horn of salvation to us: in the house of David his servant.
As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets: that are from the beginning.
Salvation from our enemies: and from the hand of all that hate us.
To work mercy with our fathers: and to remember his holy testament.
The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father: that he would give to us.
That without fear being delivered from the hand of our enemies: we may serve him.
In holiness and justice before him: all our days.
And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the highest: for thou shalt go before the face of our Lord, to prepare his ways.
To give knowledge of salvation to his people: unto remission of their sins.
Through the bowels of the mercy of our God in which the orient from on high, hath visited us.
To illuminate them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace.

Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord: and let perpetual light shine unto them.

Ant: Ego sum resurrectio et vita: qui credit in me, etiam si mortuus fuerit, vivet, et omnis qui vivit, et credit in me, non morietur in aeternum.

Ant: I am the resurrection and the life: he which believeth in me, although he were dead, yet shall he live: and everyone which liveth, and believeth in me, shall not die forever.

Provenance: From a storage unit auction out of Massachusetts.

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Good - Leaf may have some soiling and wear, especially at edges. What appears to be darkening on the lower side of the leaf is due in part to the vellum being thinner in that area - scanned against a white background as well for reference. Approximately five very small pinholes on vellum which can only be seen when held to light. Please review photos and scans closely to better determine condition. We are willing to take addtional photos. If desired, please reach out to us with your request and we will do our best to accomodate you.

6.5 x 4.25 in