This leaf is from the brief transitional period when the new technology of printing with movable type was combined with the more labor intensive methods of hand painting. The earliest printers were trained in the manuscript tradition and incorporated the conventions of historiated initials and illustrations into their early work. At first they left those spaces blank for the illuminator to complete entirely by hand. Later they developed printing methods (using woodcuts or iron engravings) to decorate the leaves.

Unusual vellum leaf printed in Gothic textura type with illuminated capitals in red, blue and burnished gold leaf. The text is in Latin and is surrounded by elaborate iron engravings that include plants, animals and mythical creatures. Six of the engravings are allegories from the Dance of Death, depicting a skeleton with important figures, including a king, a Patriarch, an Archbishop, and a knight. Printed vellum Book of Hours leaves are very scarce, as they were only produced between 1496 and 1530. Beginning with the large "L" on recto is Psalm 120, which translates in part as:

I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains; from thence help will come to me.
My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
May he not allow your foot to be moved, and may he not slumber, who guards you.
Behold, he who guards Israel will neither sleep, nor slumber.
The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your protection, above your right hand.
The sun will not burn you by day, nor the moon by night.

References:

Condition: B+

Light toning and soiling.