French Leaf from a Book of Hours ca. 1480-1500
This is a medieval script developed in France and used in the Burgundian Netherlands and Germany during the 14th and 15th centuries. The script is characterized by retaining Secretary features such as the sloping aspect, clubbed ascenders, and long S’s. Little hairlines can be seen before the lead stroke and there is a contrast between thick and thin strokes. It has some cursive features.
Book of Hours. France. ca. 1480-1500. Leaf Measurement 170 x 124 mm. Text Measurement 119 x74 mm. Text, Book of the Dead. Job 17: 1-3, 11-15. In Latin. Script: Bastard Secretary.
Leaf from a Book of Hours
Birds, flowers, and many of these decorative components have symbolic meaning