This exquisite leaf is from a mid-15th-century Book of Hours, likely produced in the Southern Netherlands for use in Rome. It contains 21 lines of Latin text arranged in a single ruled column, written in black ink with rubrics in red. The text is adorned with floral 2-line initials and pen flourishes in the Gothic tradition.
Books of Hours were devotional manuscripts intended for private prayer by the laity. Often richly decorated and personalized, they represent some of the finest achievements in medieval book art.
This vellum leaf exemplifies the craftsmanship of the period, showcasing refined script, intricate ornamentation, and the enduring spiritual and artistic beauty of hand-crafted worship.
