FROM AN ENGLISH PSALTER IN LATIN by ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAVES, OFFERED INDIVIDUALLY - 14th century

England, 14th century. 110 x 77 mm. (4 1/4 x 3"). Single column, 16 lines in an English gothic book hand.
Rubrics in red, paragraph marks in red or blue, each leaf with multiple one-line initials in gilt on pink or blue ground and line-enders with gold bezant on a bar painted pink and/or blue, some with at least one two-line initial in pink or blue on gilt ground with painted decorative flourishes, and each leaf with either a HALF OR THREE-QUARTER BORDER ON BOTH SIDES, composed of either straight bars with spiked corners or long, spikey tendrils in gilt and blue and pink paint, terminating in trefoils. With later ink foliation in upper corners, some leaves with emendations in a slightly darker ink. Vellum with a little general soiling and toning, margins trimmed rather close and sometimes just cutting into the borders, gilt noticeably rubbed away in places (exposing white gesso layer), paint occasionally rubbed or smudged, other small, mostly marginal blemishes and stains, but despite these signs of use, the leaves still very charming and with a considerable degree of their original appeal.

From a small Psalter intended for personal contemplation, these leaves feature a pleasing English scribal hand and strong decorative program. In addition to the numerous gilt initials and line enders, these leaves are also appealing as good examples of English paleography, and meant to be attractively priced. For additional leaves at different price points (including examples with marginalia), please check our website..