SIZE
3 1/4 x 4 1/2”

DESCRIPTION
From a pocket sized missal/psalter. Ex collection of a noted author and Medieval arts scholar who purchased it in France in the 1970s.

Note interesting ghost script on the verso side which is invisible without black light. This is “palimpsest.” In Medieval times skin parchment was scarce and valuable. In the interest of economy, parchment was sometimes recycled by cleaning off older text.

The fact that the former owner is fluent in Medieval Latin allows me to provide the following translation:

VERSES FROM END OF PSALM 108 (109) AND BEGINNING OF PSALM 109 (110)

[recto side: [folio] C xlviij:]

[part of 22] ego sum: et cor meum conturbatum est intra me.

[23] Sicut umbra cum declinat ablatus sum: et excussus sum sicut locustae

[24] Genua mea infirmata sunt a ieiunio: et caro mea immutata est propter oleum

[25]Et ego factus sum obprobrium illis: viderunt me et moverunt capita sua.

[26] Adiuva me domine Des meus: salvum me fac secundum misericordiam tuam.

[27] Et sciant quia manus tua hec: et tu domine fecisti eam

[28] Maledicent illi et tu benedices: qui insurgunt in me confundantur: servus autem tuus letabitur.

[29] Induantur qui detrahunt mihi pu-[continued on verso]

[added at bottom in different hand: Confitebor domino nimis in ore meo

V: Domine exaudi oration mea – I will give great thanks to the Lord with my mouth. Verse: Lord hear my prayer]

[verso side:]

-dore. et operantur sicut diploide confusion sua.

Confitebor domino nimis in ore meo: et in medio multorum laudabo eum.

Quia astetit a dextris pauperis: ut salvam faceret a persequentibus animam meam.

Dixit dominus domino meo: sede a dextris meis.

Donec ponam inimicos suos: sca[not included:bellum pedum tuorum]

[my heart is troubled within me. I am taken away like the shadow when it declineth: and I am shaken off as locusts. My knees are weakened through fasting; and my flesh is changed for oil. And I am become a reproach to them: they saw me and they shaked their heads. Help me, O Lord my God; save me according to thy mercy. And let them know that this is thy hand: and that thou, )O Lord, hast done it. They will curse and thou will bless: let them that rise up against me be confounded: but thy servant shall rejoice. Let them that detract me be clothed with shame: and let them be covered with their confusion as with a double cloak. I will give thanks to the Lord with my mouth: and in the midst of many I will praise him. Because he hath stood at the right hand of the poor, to save my soul from persecutors.

The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand: Until I make thine enemies my footstool.

CONDITION
The black light confirms there has been no restoration to the paintwork. The gold work is bright and luminous only at 45% angle. Approximately 5% attrition of original gold work was a factor of time.

SOLD