Antiphonary, Use of the Order of St Clare, in Latin [southern Netherlands, 18th century]

235x230mm, paper, 156 leaves (foliated from 1-159, skips one after ff. 23, 150, and 153; f.52 as f.51bis and f.141 as f.140bis), apparently complete, with a few added, probably 19th-century leaves after f.8 and f.159, about 85 hand-coloured initials with pasted-in engravings, mostly depicting saints, but rarely the saint appropriate to the text; a few small defects including an initial torn out, f.41v, and the corner of one leaf missing, f.113; bound in thick wood boards covered with brown blind-stamped leather, suede spine, four metal bosses on each cover, clasps missing, part of one corner missing, and somewhat worn overall, but sound

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."

Made for the Use of Poor Clares, as indicated by feasts of ‘S. Mater Clara’ (f.117r), ‘Patris nostri Francisci’ (f.129v) and his stigmata (f.125v), Colette (f.88v), Peter of Alcantara (f.134r, canonized in 1699), Didacus (f.140r), and ‘In festo SS. ordinis minorum’ (f.143r), with a few rubrics in the vernacular (e.g. ‘door iaer’, ‘Alderkinderen dag’, ff.58v, 149r), presumably after 1712, when Catherine of Bologna (f.89v) was canonized; with the 19th- or 20th-century ink stamp of the ‘Klooster der Franciscanessen te Oosterloo-Geel’, about 30 miles east of Antwerp.

Temporale from Advent to the 24th Sunday after Pentecost (f.1r); Common of saints (f.62r) and Dedication of a church; Sanctorale (f.76r) from Andrew (30 Nov.) to Cecilia (22 Nov.), followed by Thomas of Villanova; added Hymnal from Advent to Corpus Christi (f.144v), with further additions at the end.