Book of Hours | SHLC N1 16.5149
[15th century France]
Illuminated manuscript on vellum. 100 leaves with 3 full-page miniatures, rubricated initials and decorations throughout.
Bound in a modern rebinding (likely 19th-20th century). Although rebound, the order appears to be original. Some script variations throughout. Text written in black ink with red and blue initials throughout. Decoration includes gold leaf, blue, and green pigments with intricate designs including foliage and grotesques in the margin.
Contents & Order|Calendar [Use of Rome, Paris, or regional French use likely]. 1st miniature: Flight from Egypt. Text from the Hours of the Virgin – Vespers. 2nd miniature: Saint Sebastian shot with arrows. Suffrages. 3rd miniature the Stigmatization of St. Francis; illumination including red seraph in a mandorla. Suffrages continued.
Provenance | Inner cover has a pencil notation of an old ID number from the Salisbury House Library Collection of the Weeks family. There are also pencil notations likely made by a bookseller. SHLC provenance files include references to two purchases of a book of hours that could either be this volume or N1 16.5151:
- An order list in collection files from 1926 includes a listing for a “manuscrit du xvem” (manuscript 15th century) purchased by Weeks for 3000 francs from André Clevi.
- A May 1932 purchase of a “book of hours circa 1450” from Philip Duschnes. Duschnes wrote to Carl Weeks about material he acquired from a faculty of a southern university which included an “illumined Book of Hours, circa 1450”; an order through the book seller a week later included a listing for a book of hours along with other material.
- Further research is needed for more specific attribution of a date and location. The final page includes a reference to France.
- Little translation work has been done with this volume. Notes, unique language, or inclusion of certain saints may identify a location of creation.
- Examination of the scribal variations throughout this volume may identify what was concurrent or later additions made by an owner.
- Provenance research and examination of the rebinding of this volume may be able to provide more answers about its previous ownership and history.
