"MY MOUTH SHALL DECLARE THY PRAISE": LOVELY ILLUMINATED LEAF FROM A FRENCH BOOK OF HOURS, CIRCA 1450, FEATURING A STRIKING HAND-COLORED IMAGE OF THE ANNUNCIATION

(ILLUMINATED LEAF). Illuminated Leaf from a Book of Hours. Northern France of Flanders, circa 1450. Single parchment leaf (5 by 7-1/4 inches), illuminated in gold, brown, white, gray, red, green, purple, rose and blue inks. Window matted with silk front and framed, entire piece measures 10-1/2 by 13 inches. $11,500.

Wonderful illuminated miniature from a French Book of Hours, a large, hand-colored image depicting the Annunciation, with four lines of Latin text from the Hours of the Virgin in gothic script, one four-line floriated initial, beautifully bordered on all sides by berries, flowers, acanthus leaves.

This beautiful illuminated miniature is from a Book of Hours from mid-15th-century France. The Latin gothic text is from the Hours of the Virgin at matins. The large domed miniature depicts the Annunciation. Mary and Gabriel kneel beneath the Holy Spirit, depicted as a dove. In this image, only Mary wears a halo whereas winged Gabriel bears his scepter. The scene is set against an elaborate background with tiled floor, a canopied bed, and a window to the outside world. The verso bears 17 lines of unbordered black and red Gothic text, two two-line filigree gilt initials on solid grounds, and three similar one-line initials.

Faint crease to lower outer margin, small stain to lower margin. Near-fine condition. Beautifully framed.