Calendar, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on vellum

6 leaves (plus a blank endleaf, reused from another manuscript and with the offset of a large 'Beatus' initial), 148mm. by 104mm., text complete, collation: i^{2 (first 2 leaves of another text cut away), ii2 (last 2 leaves cut away), iii2 (added later to replace missing leaves), written space 93mm. by 60mm., single column, ruled for 30 lines in dark brown ink, written in black ink in two Gothic hands, incipits and some saints' names in later section in red, significant saints in early section lined through in red,} six large initials 'KL' in early section in burnished gold on blue and pink grounds with contrasting penwork, four imitative of this in later section, sixteen historiated roundels in early section, leaves slightly discoloured through use, else in good condition on thick and strong vellum

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."

text

This manuscript is a fine and well-executed illuminated Calendar of the second half of the thirteenth-century with sixteen roundels illustrating the zodiac symbols and various occupations for the relevant months. The work is clearly that of the southern Netherlands, and the presence of SS. Aldegund (30 January) and Meingold (8 February) might suggest that it was made for a patron from either the Hainault region of Flanders where Aldegund lived, or Huy, in the Belgian province of Liège, where Meingold had his dukedom. At some time since it lost its last two leaves, and these were subsequently replaced in an imitative style for a patron from much the same region: note St. Willibrord for 7 November suggesting Utrecht, and St. Theodard for 10 September, suggesting Stavelot in modern Belgium.

illumination

The early illuminations include:

1. Folio 1r, small roundel (24mm. in diameter), enclosing a man warming his foot by a fire, his boot in his hand, on burnished gold ground, all within blue frame heightened with white.

2. Folio 1r, small roundel (25mm. in diameter), enclosing Aquarius the water carrier, dressed as a medieval peasant in pink robes and a coif, carrying a large amphora on his shoulders, from which water flows, on burnished gold ground, all within blue frame heightened with white. Some minor smudging to face, and rubbing to gold.

3. Folio 1v, small roundel (24mm. in diameter), enclosing a man harvesting crops with a sickle, on burnished gold ground, all within blue frame heightened with white.

4. Folio 1v, small roundel (25mm. in diameter), enclosing Pisces: two white fish, with features picked out in black penwork, on burnished gold ground, all within pink frame heightened with white.

5. Folio 2r, small roundel (24mm. in diameter), enclosing a man digging with a shovel, on burnished gold ground, all within pink frame heightened with white.

6. Folio 2r, small roundel (25mm. in diameter), enclosing Aries: a white ram with features picked out in black penwork, on burnished gold ground, all within blue frame heightened with white. Slight rubbing.

7. Folio 2v, small roundel (22mm. in diameter), enclosing a man holding up a branch of foliage (perhaps planting crops), on burnished gold ground, all within pink frame heightened with white.

8. Folio 2v, small roundel (22mm. in diameter), enclosing Taurus: a brown bull who strains his head to look at the man in the roundel above, on burnished gold ground, all within blue frame heightened with white.

9. Folio 3r, small roundel (22mm. in diameter), enclosing a man playing a violin, on  burnished gold ground, all within blue frame heightened with white.

10. Folio 3r, small roundel (24mm. in diameter), enclosing Gemini: two naked twins stand looking at each other, and holding a single shield over the lower parts of their bodies, a club in each of their outstretched hands, on burnished gold ground, all within pink frame heightened with white.

11. Folio 3v, small roundel (22mm. in diameter), enclosing a man with a basket collecting fruit from bushes, on burnished gold ground, all within blue frame heightened with white.

12. Folio 3v, small roundel (19mm. in diameter), enclosing Cancer: portrayed here as a detailed orange-pink lobster-like animal with a segmented body, fan-like tail and claws, on burnished gold ground, all within pink frame heightened with white.

13. Folio 4r, small roundel (22mm. in diameter), enclosing a man harvesting crops with a scythe, on burnished gold ground, all within blue frame heightened with white.

14. Folio 4r, small roundel (22mm. in diameter), enclosing Leo: a dark brown lion with a shaggy mane heightened with white penwork, on burnished gold ground, all within blue frame heightened with white.

15. Folio 4v, small roundel (22mm. in diameter), enclosing a man cutting firewood, on burnished gold ground, all within blue frame heightened with white. Right-hand side of miniature somewhat stained.

16. Folio 4v, small roundel (22mm. in diameter), enclosing Virgo: a virgin in a long flowing blue dress holding up a mirror, on burnished gold ground, all within pink frame heightened with white. Paint flaked from face of virgin.