Europe, probably France or the Low Countries, ca. 1450 to 1500 CE. This is a paper page from an illuminated manuscript that contains the medieval Latin text of a prayer to the Virgin Mary, asking her to intercede with her son in obtaining virtue for the supplicant. Like many illuminated manuscripts, the page serves as a work of art with its interesting use of layout, color, decoration, and script. A book like this would have been made by an urban bookseller, called a libraire; in this time period it could have come from Paris, Bruges, Ghent, or Valenciennes. Books like these were prized objects, often given as gifts at important occasions. This page comes from The Book of Hours, a prayerbook used by (mostly wealthy) laypeople; like its counterpart for the clergy, the Divine Office, it was divided into times of day and included the Psalms, hymns, and various prayers -- including some to the Virgin, like this page. The border, called the initial, of this particular one is a deep blue interspersed with thick "transparent" lines showing red flowers with green stems; the blue background also has a vine design, which is often associated with French illuminators. Approximately one third of the way down the page inside the initial is a brown and green hybrid animal combining a squirrel-like mammalian with a long-necked bird. This beautiful page is a reminder of the fantastic artistry of an intensely religious period. Size: 4.33" W x 7.5" H (11 cm x 19 cm).

Provenance: Ex- Estate of M. Reiniger, Chicago, IL

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#111513

Aside from slight browning of page/black ink and very small tear on bottom left, excellent. Paint is bright and the words are clear. The piece is currently in a protective heavy card sheath.