TEXT FROM COMPLINE IN THE HOURS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT by AN ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAF WITH AN HISTORIATED INITIAL CONTAINING A SMALL BUT STRIKING IMAGE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, FROM A BOOK OF HOURS IN LATIN - ca. 1460

Bruges, ca. 1460. 218 x 152 mm. (8 5/8 x 6"). Single column, 21 lines in a formal gothic book hand. Rubrics in red, two line fillers in pink and blue with gold accent, one- and two-line initials in burnished gold on a pink and blue ground with white tracery, verso with a floral panel border, RECTO WITH A SIX-LINE HISTORIATED INITIAL in pink and white on a burnished gold ground, its center SHOWING A WHITE DOVE WITH A GOLD NIMBUS AND RADIATING GOLD BEAMS OF LIGHT on a sun-like background of orange and yellow surrounded by blue, the same side WITH AN ANIMATED FULL FLORAL BORDER filled with blue and gold acanthus, sprays of flowers and fruit, and many tiny gold bezants. One corner repaired, just touching tip of full border, minor marginal thumbing, small, faint smear to border, otherwise an excellent leaf--smooth, well-margined, and with vibrant colors and glistening gold. Radiant is the word to describe the historiated initial here, its brilliant colors, shining gold, and pure white conveying the essence of the Holy Spirit. Radiant is the word to describe the historiated initial here, its brilliant colors, shining gold, and pure white conveying the essence of the Holy Spirit.