This is a magnificent neo-gothic vellum leaf made in France at the beginning of the nineteenth century when all things medieval became the rage and the art of illumination was taught to young gentlewomen. The leaf is in the form of a Book of Hours illumination except the text was not completed except for the large initial S. The incredible border includes miniature paintings of two cathedrals, a pastoral vignette, and a fabulous painting of six men building a church - including a sculptor who is fashioning a gargoyle after one of the men. The multicolored border includes flowers, fruit, acanthus leaves, a fox, an elf, a bird, and a spider - all heighten in sparkling gold leaf. The vellum is very high quality. Initials of the painter, JBM, are at bottom center. Blank verso.

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Condition: A+