Antiphoner, of Franciscan Use, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on vellum

192 leaves, 620 mm. by 455 mm., lacking a leaf after fol. 150 and some leaves at end, else complete, collation: i-v^{10, vi10+1 [fol. 53 added], vii-xii10, xiii12, xiv10, xv9 [of 10, lacking viii], xvi10 [but fols. 157-9 slightly later replacements], xvii-xix10, with horizontal catchwords within decorative penwork, 5 lines each of text in a large rounded gothic hand and of music on a 4-line red stave, written-space 410 mm. by 277 mm., rubrics in red, calligraphic initials in text (sometimes with faces), large painted initials throughout in divided red or blue with very fine penwork in the contrasting colour}, six very large illuminated initials in lush leafy designs in colours and burnished gold with decorative marginal extensions (fols. 33v, 35v, 40v, 55r, 87v and 131r), four very large historiated initials with lush floral and leafy extensions filling most of one or two margins, some early additions and alterations updating the text (fols. 33v-45v and 55r-61v at least partly erased and re-written, fols. 157-9 replaced, initial on fol. 35v partly repainted), some wear, outer corners rather thumbed, generally in fine condition, massive early binding of thick wooden boards covered with brown leather, metal bosses in corners and centre of each cover, metal pegs on lower edges of boards, stubs (only) of clasp straps on edge of upper cover, corresponding metal pins on lower cover, pastedown inside lower cover from another manuscript choirbook, red silk markers, binding battered and repaired

provenance

(1) André Hachette (1873-1952), with his bookplate; his sale, Paris, 16 December 1953, lot 2 (200,000 francs).

(2) A private collector, and by descent to the present owner.

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 is the midsummer volume of a set of choirbooks, doubtless for the whole liturgical year.  It comprises the Temporal from the eve of Pentecost, with Pentecost itself, Trinity Sunday (considerably updated here, including Franciscan additions for the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin, Saint Bernardinus, canonised 1450, and Saint Bonaventura, canonised 1482), Corpus Christi, and the Sundays until the tenth after Pentecost; followed by the Sanctoral (fol. 131r), from the eve of Saint Anthony of Padua (12 June) to the even of Saints Peter and Paul (28 June).

illumination

The miniatures are in the semi-classical style which spread outwards from Verona and Padua during the second half of the fifteenth century.  The flecked purple shadows and cornucopia ornamenting the initial on fol. 136v, for example, recur in the work of the Paduan artist Gaspare da Padova (c. 1466- c.1493), who worked with San Vito in Rome.  Other illuminators in Padua who practised this style included Girolamo da Cremona (documented there 1460-1483) and Antonio Maria de Villanova, documented in Padua from 1469 until his death in 1511, whose workshop produced many choir books (cf. Calligrafia di Dio, La miniatura celebra la parola, 1999, pp. 210, nos. 54-55).  Although Anthony of Padua was venerated throughout the Franciscan Order, the extreme length of his office here and the inclusion of a miniature is at least consistent with exceptional devotion in his home town.   The subjects of the miniatures are:

1, Folio 4r, Pentecost, historiated initial 'D' ("Dum conplerentur dies"), 187 mm. by 180 mm., the Virgin and the apostles in prayer with the Holy Dove above; floral border extending the full length of two margins.

2, Folio 62v, A priest holding a chalice and patten, historiated initial 'S' ("Sacerdos in eternum", Corpus Christi), 167 mm. by 162 mm., starry ground; full-length floral border.

3, Folio 136v, Saint Anthony of Padua, historiated initial 'F' ("Funditur in sontium"), 163 mm. by 137 mm., a standing Franciscan holding flames and a book, landscape background; partial border in classical design including jewels and fruit.

4, Folio 165r, Saint John the Baptist, historiated initial 'F' ("Fuit homo missus a deo"), 155 mm. by 117 mm., the saint pointing and holding a scroll "Ece aniu de"; border including three putti.