David kneeling in prayer before God, near the body of Saul, the two armies of the Battle of Gilboa in the background, historiated initial on a leaf from a vast Ferial Psalter, in Latin [France (probably Rouen), c.1490]

single leaf, c.640x440mm, vellum, with a historiated initial ‘D’ and a partial floral border including the letters ‘V’, ‘F’ and ‘E’ joined by a tasselled cord, 2 columns, 27 lines (c.510×290mm), one-line titulus in gold, illuminated two-line initials and line-fillers, several including the symbols of St James, the scallop-shell (coquille St-Jacques) and pilgrim’s staff, Pss.36:28–37:12, old foliation ‘31’, slightly darkened around the edges

There are several clues to the origin of these leaves: the Psalm 39 initial (next lot) includes a kneeling Dominican; the borders of both leaves include the letters V, F, and E, joined by a tasselled cord; and several line-fillers include symbols of St James: the scallop-shell (coquilles St-Jacques) and pilgrim’s staff. Another leaf (present whereabouts unknown) includes the same motifs, and in addition St Vincent Ferrer preaching and groups of Dominicans in the Psalm 80 initial, and in its lower border an angel presenting a kneeling woman (nun?) to a Dominican, with an unidentified coat of arms. The style of illumination seems to derive from that of Robert Boyvin, of Rouen.

There was a Dominican convent in Rouen whose church was dedicated to St Jacques. The monastery was severely damaged during the siege by the English and rebuilt in the late 15th century: this manuscript may therefore have been commissioned as part of this renewal.

Unlike Psalm 38, Psalms 37 and 39 in Psalters do not usually have a historiated initial; the fact that they get such treatment on these two leaves suggests that every psalm had an historiated initial, which is exceptionally rare. The size of the volume suggests that it was an ostentatious display-item and intended to be used by a large choir.

From the same manuscript as the following lot.