Book of Hours, Use of Rome, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on vellum [Italy (Ferrara), c.1470-90]

Estimate

4,000 - 6,000 GBP

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Description

Vellum

207 leaves (plus 1 modern paper endleaf at front and back), 89mm. by 60mm., wanting leaves after fols.12, 26, 40, 45, 55, 58 (x2), 94, 97 (x2), 122 and 186, collation: i¹², ii⁹ (i wanting), iii⁹ (vi wanting), iv¹⁰, v⁸ (i and vii wanting), vi⁹ (viii wanting), vii⁸ (iii and iv wanting), viii-x¹⁰, xi⁷ (i, v and vi wanting), xii-xiii¹⁰, xiv⁹ (ii wanting), xv-xix¹⁰, xx⁹ (vii wanting), xxi¹⁰, xxii⁹ (x wanting), 12 lines in dark brown ink in a rounded gothic bookhand, catchwords, rubrics in red, one- to 2-line initials in gold or blue with contrasting penwork, the larger often with delicate flowers, six large illuminated initials in coloured leafy design on burnished gold grounds, four of these accompanied by coloured bars with rich croquet-like scroll-work in liquid gold incorporating coloured leaves, flowers and the heads of monks and young men in the upper and lower margins (fols.51r, 134r, 190v, 191v, 192v and 200r; one initial cut out from fol.67v but part of the border remaining), one large historiated initial with full borders (fol.182), edges trimmed slightly affecting the edges of some borders, scuffs and stains throughout, water damage mostly affecting first and last gathering, else fair condition, nineteenth-century brown leather cathedral binding, with gilt-tooled papal mitre, crossed keys and the letter ‘V’ at front and a crown and the letters ‘CestL.’ at back (gilt-tooling probably added later), clasp missing and partially restored

Catalogue Note

text

The text comprises a Calendar (fol.1r); the Hours of the Virgin, with Matins (fol.13r), Lauds (fol.27r), Prime (fol.41r), Terce (fol.46r), Sext (fol.51r), None (fol.56r), Vespers (fol.59r) and Compline (fol.67v), followed by the Psalms and antiphons of the Virgin to be read on various days of the week (fol.74v) and Variants of the Hours of the Virgin for the liturgical year (fol.85r, rubric: Sciendum est quod a vespere sabbati sancti usque ad ascensionem fit officium beate Marie virginis sicut ante adventum); readings from the Gospel according to Luke (fol.96r); the Seven Penitential Psalms (fol.98r) and Litany (fol.111r); the Office of the Dead (fol.123r); the Hours of the Cross (fol.182r) and Holy Spirit (fol.187r); prayer of St. Anselm (fol.190v), the Apostle's Creed (fol.191v); Psalm 90 (fol.192v), prayer of St. Augustine (fol.200r).

illumination

This was once an opulent example of Ferrarese illumination, and the remaining initials and borders with their rich liquid gold filigree still stand among the finer productions in the Ferrara Renaissance style, championed by Cosimo Tura (1430-95) the leading painter at the Este court. The historiated initial with the Crucified Christ (fol.182r) is an accomplished composition, with the expressive body posture and dramatic use of light and shade characteristic of this style.