Lot 4504 - A212 Books - Wednesday, 26. March 2025, 01.30 PM
HORAE B.M.V. -
Book of hours. Latin manuscript on vellum, French calendar. With 14 large miniatures in wide floral borders with drolleries, depictions of animals and plants, several splendid initials, continuous floral borders, smaller initials and line fillers, all in gold and colours.
Northern France (Rouen?), 2nd half of the 15th century. 18.3 × 13 cm. [1] white leaf, [126] fol., [1] white leaf. Leaf size: 17.5 × 12 cm. 16 lines. Gothic textura. 17th century leather binding with gilt-stamped spine fleurons and cover fillets and gilt edges (rubbed, some scuffing, upper spine repaired, missing clasp).
Complete book of hours with outstanding artistic decoration. The French calendar indicates Rouen as the place of origin. The entries alternate in blue and red, main feasts in gold, including: Vincent (22 Jan.), Pierre (22 Feb. and 29 June), Saint Sauveur (6 Aug.), Denis (9 Oct.), Martin (11 Nov. and 4 July Translatio), Clement (23 Nov.), Katharine (25 Nov.) and Nicholas (6 Dec. and 9 May Translatio). The style of the illumination places the Book of Hours in the circle of the ‘Maître de l'Échevinage de Rouen’, one of the leading French miniaturists of the second half of the 15th century. The richly gold-hatched robes and the red and blue tapestries with brocade patterns in almost every picture are characteristic. Another striking feature is the border decoration of the miniatures, which is populated by realistic depictions of nature, including monkeys (also as drolleries with books), squirrels, jays, lindworms, owls, peacocks, butterflies, cockchafer beetles, columbines, strawberries, grapes, carnations and cornflowers. The cycle of miniatures shows the classical pictorial themes for the respective prayers: Leaf 13r: Evangelists (four-part depiction in one miniature). - 25r: Annunciation. - 34v: Visitation of Mary. - 47r: Birth of Christ. - 52r: Annunciation of the shepherds. - 55r: Magi. - 57r: Presentation in the temple. - 60v: Flight to Egypt. - 62v: Coronation of the young fawn. - 67r: Crucifixion. - 70r: Pentecost. - 73r: King David in prayer. - 89r: Office of the Dead. - 117r: Lamentation of Christ. - Some of the miniature pages trimmed to the border or just beyond, the Evangelists with minor surface rubbing in one of the quadrants. Minor traces of dust and fingerprints, in overall fresh condition. - Provenance: Slightly later motto entry ‘Peu dire ou bien parler’ on the last white leaf. - Tiny collector's stamp on the flyleaf. - Swiss private ownership.
CHF 25 000 / 40 000 | (€ 25 770 / 41 240)
Sold for CHF 87 500 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.