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Coronation of the Virgin, large miniature on a leaf from an illuminated Book of Hours, manuscript on vellum [northern France (doubtless Rouen), c.1510]
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Vellum
single leaf, 195mm. by 130mm., with a full-page miniature of the Virgin kneeling, her hands clasped in prayer, before God the father enthroned on a dull-gold panelled chair with a tall arched back, as an angel behind her places a detailed bejewelled crown on her head and three other angels sing from a large scroll with notably realistic music on a 4-line red stave before a dark blue night sky with golden stars, all within an architectural border with iridescent green and turquoise marble pillars and putti who battle with swords and shields or reach towards one of their number who is crowned and kneels and prays, echoing the Virgin's posture, 25 lines in rare double-column format on verso with three 2- or 3-line initials, all within a border panel and blue border frame, outstanding condition
Provenance
Provenance: from a Book of Hours which belonged to Carleton Richmond (1887-1975), Boston textile manufacturer; his sale, Sotheby's, New York, 30 October 1981, lot 54; single leaves were afterwards in Ferrini, cat. 1 (1987), nos.91-97; other are described in S. N. Fliegel, The Jeanne Miles Blackburn Collection of Manuscript Illuminations, Cleveland Museum of Art, 1999, pp.64-6, nos.62-4.
Catalogue Note
This is a charming miniature in perfect condition, from a Book of Hours attributable to the Rouen illuminator Robinet Boyvin (cf. E. König in Tenschert, Leuchtendes Mittelalter, IV, 1992, esp. pp.522-35). The angels above are holding a scroll with music so clearly delineated that it ought to be identifiable.