BOOK OF HOURS LEAF Ref 145 verso

This is an illuminated leaf from a Book of Hours for the Use of Rome that was produced in Paris, France, c.1420.

 

The text is from the Hours of the Virgin, from the Hour of Vespers.

 

The size of the leaf is 211m x 156mm (8 1/4ins. X 6 3/20ins.).

 

PROVENANCE: -

1. From an imperfect Book of Hours that was Lot 43 in Sotheby’s Western Manuscript and Miniatures sale on 5th. December 1995, purchased by Neumann-Walter of Leipzig.

 

2. This leaf purchased by the seller from Neumann-Walter in November 2000.

 

3. Since December 1995, leaves from the Book of Hours have appeared on the market: -

Sotheby’s – December 1997, Lot 19 – Three separate leaves with text from parts of Lauds and the Office of the Dead (not Use of Paris or any common Use). (£1,840 including buyers premium.

Sotheby’s – June 2001, Lot 12 – Four leaves foliated 4-5 and 11-12, texts from Matins and Sext. (£2,880 including buyers premium).

Maggs – European Bulletin 21 (1997) Item 38 (with black and white plate) at £675.

Maggs – European Bulletin 22 (1998) Item238 (with black and white plate) at £750.

Pirages – Catalogue 40 (1997?) Item 7 (with black and white and colour plates) at $850.

Pirages – Catalogue 41 (1998) Item 48 (with black and white plates) two leaves (one is folio 30) at $1,400 and $1,750.

 

GENERAL COMMENTS: -

This is one of the finest text leaves from a Book of Hours that anyone could wish to possess. The book from which it came was described in Sotheby’s catalogue thus “The core of the manuscript is the residue of a first class Book of Hours of princely quality, both in its script and border decoration.

THE LEAF IS IMMACULATE, MAGNIFICENT, AND REPRESENTS ILLUMINATION AT ITS VERY, VERY, BEST.

 

Done