Leaves from a Book of Hours, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on vellum

5 leaves, 158-160mm. by 111-122mm., three leaves with three-quarter page arch-topped miniatures (approximately 94mm. by 60mm.), above 3-line initials in blue with white penwork with coloured floral infill (damaged on one leaf), on burnished gold grounds, three to four lines of text, all enclosed with full decorated borders including coloured acanthus-leaves heightened in liquid gold, flowers, pine-cones and fruit, versos with numerous 2- or 1-line initials in liquid gold on coloured grounds with line-fillers in same, single border panels on two of three leaves of simple foliage terminating in gold ivy-leaves, flowers and fruit; two further text leaves from same manuscript with 13 lines in dark brown ink in an accomplished late Gothic hand (note rubric for prayer to St. Barbara on one), numerous 1- or 2-line initials as above but two with naturalistic floral infill, single border panels as above on recto and verso of both leaves; some minor flaking of paint from one miniature, else in excellent condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

illumination

The miniatures are well-executed, and are in the style of Maître François. The subjects are:

1. The Flight into Egypt, Joseph carrying a knapsack on a pole leads the Virgin and the Christ child (both with burnished gold haloes) on a donkey, followed by a female attendant carrying a basket on her head, all set in a grassy landscape with trees, city in background.

2. The Coronation of the Virgin, the Virgin kneels in prayer before God, portrayed as a bearded man in rich robes and the triple-tiered crown of St. Peter and the popes, who sits one hand on a burnished gold orb topped by a cross, the other in blessing, as an angel descends  to place a crown on the head of the Virgin, all within a sumptuous Gothic interior scene; some smudging to centre of picture between the head of the Virgin and the hand of God, and some paint flaked from angel's face.

3. King David kneeling in prayer before an open book with a green velvet chemise binding, himself clothed in blue robes with fleur-de-lys trimmed in ermine, his harp behind him, as God appears in the sky and a red angel with a sword descends to him, all before a detailed medieval building with ornamental moulding over the doorway and a gateway with a raised portcullis.