Book of Hours | SHLC N1 16.5151
[14th-15th century France]
Illuminated manuscript on vellum. 130 vellum leaves with 4 full-page miniatures, illuminated borders and initial letters. Red, blue, green, and gold pigments. The last 24 leaves have gaps for rubrication and decoration not completed.
In a near contemporary (15th-16th century) dark Morocco leather binding with blind stamping on front and back covers. Although appearing to be a historic binding, the order of of this volume suggests it was restructured when bound – traditionally the text would open with the calendar. The condition of the calendar page, inserted after another section, further suggests this. Throughout the volume are blank spaces, some with scribal rubrication lines and some without. There are variations in hands throughout, but appears to be two primary scribes with additions in another hand. Decoration includes gold leaf and primarily blue and burgundy pigments and foliage themes.
Contents & Order | 1st miniature: Saint Peter depicted with a key and bible. [Section of Hours to be identified.] Calendar—the location of this suggests leaves were reordered in a later rebinding. [Section of text to be identified.] Litany (list of Saints). 2nd miniature: the Deposition—Jesus being taken down from the cross. This image is common with the Vespers section of the Hours of the Passion, a common Books of Hours section. 3rd miniature: Burial service. Text of the office of the dead. 4th miniature: David praying—accompanies text of Penitential psalms.
Provenance | SHLC provenance files include references to two purchases of a book of hours that could either be this volume or N1 16.5149:
- An order list in collection files from 1926 includes a listing for a “manuscrit du xvem” 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.
Future Research
- Further research is needed for more specific attribution of a date and location. The art style in borders of this manuscript resemble Dutch illuminated books–is it possible to attribute this to a Dutch illuminator?
- Little translation work has been done with this volume. Notes, unique language, or inclusion of certain saints may identify a location of creation.
- The last 24 leaves lack decoration–why were they not completed?
- The binding is interesting and we may be able to learn more about it’s approximate date. A manuscript waste fragment at the back of the book includes early music notes – is the tune recognizable?
- Catalog or inventory records from Clevi or Duschenes may have a description of this book when it was on the market to learn more about its past.
