The Massacre of the Innocents, miniature on a leaf from a manuscript in Latin [southern Netherlands, c.1425-50]

single leaf, 188x125mm, vellum, 14 lines, 100x70mm, with a 5-line miniature for a suffrage to the Holy Innocents, vellum stained around edges, blue mantle of Herod smudged, framed

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."

At first sight one might assume that this leaf comes from a Book of Hours, but suffrages to the Holy Innocents are very rare, and the three devotions (end of suffrage to St Stephen, to the Innocents, and beginning of suffrage to Ste Genevieve) are arranged in calendar order (the three feasts fall on 26 and 28 December, and 4 January, respectively), not in the normal hierarchy from apostles and martyrs to confessors and virgins. This leaf might therefore represent a much more interesting and unusual parent volume, with a series of lay devotions arranged for the Church year, rather than for the canonical hours of the day.