“I heard a voice from Heaven”.
Recto: 17 lines of text in Latin written in two sizes of a Gothic bookhand in black ink on vellum. Rubrics in red and some initials touched in light grey. Two two-line illuminated initials in raised and burnished gold outlined in black on pink and blue grounds finished with white penwork. Both initials have decorations radiating into the margin.Three similar one-line illuminated initials.
Verso: As Recto with a further six illuminated one-line initials and four line fillers..
Source: Northern France, Use of Bayeux.
Date: c.1440
Content: The illuminated ‘A’ on the second line begins a verse from Apocalypse 14:13. Audivi vocem de caelo dicentem scribe beati mortui qui in Domino moriuntur. (I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me: Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord).
The two-line illuminated initial ‘L’ begins Psalm 145 (KJV 146): Lauda anima mea dominum… (Praise the Lord O my soul…)
Condition: This leaf is in very good condition with clear text on fine, clean vellum, bright illuminations and lustrous gold. The leaf is unconditionally guaranteed genuine.
Size: Size of leaf: approx. 145x110 mm. Text and illuminated area : approx.100x70 mm. Please note that postage is invoiced separately: Australia $20. Overseas: ask for quote.
Notes: The words of Audivi vocem de caelo were set to music for six voices by Duarte Lobo, a Portugese composer who lived in the late 16th to early 17th centuries. The Choir of Queen’s College, Oxford have a beautiful version on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds0gP12jF1U
Item No: MBH098
