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an open book with a picture of a man and a woman on itan old book sitting on top of a white surfacean open book that is sitting on a tablea book open to show a page with a picture on itPhoto 5/6 du lotPhoto 6/6 du lot
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Maître Stéphane PRENVEILLE

1 - [MANUSCRIPT] – Book of Hours for a woman, northern France – …
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Estimate €10,000 - €15,000
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Description
[MANUSCRIPT] – Book of Hours for a woman, northern France – In Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on parchment. Third quarter of the 15th century. Gothic script in brown ink. 100 leaves – 17th-century sheepskin binding – Decorated ribbed spine, title label in red morocco leather, 17th-century paper endpapers – Red edges. The illustrations depicting the life of the Virgin are damaged and two large illuminations are heavily worn. Some traces of damp. Margins trimmed short, with minor losses in the foliage. At least six large illuminations are missing: looting has left very visible marks (remnants of pages visible). Dimensions: 125 x 168 mm. Description: f. 1–12: Calendar 24 medallions in the margins depicting the labours of the months and the signs of the zodiac. f. 13–14: Gospel of John, I. St John on Patmos. f. 15: Gospel of Luke St Luke writing whilst holding a bull. f. 16–17: Gospel of Mark St Mark writing whilst seated on a lion f. 17: Devotional prayer to Our Lady (in Latin) f. 19v: Prayer to the Virgin (in French) f. 21–22: Special prayers (in Latin) Lacuna: 4 folios cut out f. 23–32: Lauds from the Little Office of the Virgin, followed by prayers to the saints Lacuna: 1 folio cut out f. 33–36: Prime from the Office of the Virgin f. 36v–38: Terce Annunciation to the Shepherds Lacuna: 1 folio cut out f. 39–40: Sext f. 41–43: None Presentation in the Temple f. 44–45: Vespers Flight into Egypt and, in the lower margin, the Massacre of the Innocents f. 46–49: Compline Coronation of the Virgin f. 50–64: penitential psalms David the Penitent Lacuna: 1 folio cut out f. 65–67: Office of the Passion f. 67v–70: Office of the Holy Spirit Pentecost Missing: 1 folio cut out f. 71–94: Vigils for the Dead Missing: 1 folio cut out f. 95–100: Various prayers to the Virgin (in French: ‘Tres doulce dame’) Decoration: The calendar contains 24 round vignettes in its margins: the 12 signs of the zodiac and the 12 labours of the months. Nine large illuminations, including three Evangelists, four (out of seven) illuminations from the cycle of the Virgin’s life, the image of David the Penitent, and a Pentecost scene which opens the Office of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, acts of vandalism during the live broadcast have damaged the cycle of the Virgin and removed a Crucifixion that opened the Office of the Passion and a funeral scene that opened the Office of the Dead. All the pages have an outer margin of acanthus scrolls, containing a figure in the centre (animals, birds, chimeras, grotesques, figures, a boat, a tower, etc.). On pages featuring a large illumination, the lower margin is also illustrated, sometimes relating to the main illumination. For example, the Flight into Egypt is linked to a Massacre of the Innocents (bottom of f. 44). Provenance: The patron is unknown. The special prayers on folios 21–22, addressed to Saints Margaret, Appolline (sic) and Katerine (sic), suggest that the book was intended for use by a woman. The calendar features saints of very diverse origins, but mainly from northern France. An elegant book of hours, with nine large illuminations and highly inventive borders. Export certificate no. 260001
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About the sale Antique and modern books and documents
Auction location
Auction time 10/02/2026 at 9:30 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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