Book of Hours, Use of Rome, in Latin and Italian [Italy (Florence), c.1480]

100x65mm, vellum, i+177+i leaves, paginated 1-353 in 19th-century ink starting on the first verso, in 18 quires of 10 leaves, and inserted leaves with miniatures in quires i and xiii (pp.1, 243), 7th-9th leaves in quire xvii removed in scriptorium (after p.335), 12 lines, 50x33mm, 2 full-page miniatures with full historiated borders facing 2 large historiated initials with full historiated borders and 8 smaller historiated initials each with a one- or two-sided border, smaller illuminated initials throughout, in excellent condition, bound in modern purple brocade over wood boards, edges gauffered and gilt, modern fitted box

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."

An elegant Book of Hours with refined illuminations by the celebrated Florentine artist Attavante degli Attavanti

(1) Written and illuminated in Florence for the person whose arms are in the lower border of the first page of text; they have been identified as those of Pérusse des Cars, of Limousin (de gueules au pal de vair; see R. Valette, Catalogue de la Noblesse Française, p.152).

(2) Offered by U. Hoepli, Libri Insigni, 1949, no.38 (col.pl.).

text and illumination

Hours of the Virgin, "secundum romane curie", with Matins (p.2), Lauds (p.39), Prime (p.77), Terce (p.93), Sext (p.108), None (p.123), Vespers (p.138), Compline (p.164), with variants for different days of the week (p.182) and for different liturgical seasons (p.210), both with rubrics in Italian; Seven Penitential Psalms (p.244), litany (p.283), followed by 10 collects and prayers, including one to Raphael (p.326), the Verses of St Bernard (p.327), a prayer of St Augustine, in Italian (p.335), and the Te deum (p.337); Hours of the Cross (p.343).

Attavante degli Attavanti (1452-1520/25) was already highly praised even within his own lifetime. He worked for celebrated patrons and collaborated with the most important illuminators and painters of Florence: Francesco di Antonio del Chierico (see lot 73), the brothers Gherardo and Monte di Giovanni di Miniato del Foro, and Domenico Ghirlandaio. His elegant, idealized compositions and use of Antique sources epitomize Renaissance manuscript illustration. Attavante was favoured by Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, for whom he illuminated many manuscripts (over 30 have been identified). Corvinus’ prestigious library of lavishly decorated Italian codices in Budapest was dispersed soon after his death, and some were bought by Lorenzo de' Medici, who shared a taste for Attavante's work. The present Book of Hours is remarkable for its elegant small scale and the very fine execution of miniatures, initials and borders.

The subjects of the two miniatures and ten historiated initials are: (1-2) pp.1-2, The Annunciation, facing The Nativity; the full border of each with six saints in ovals, two putti holding the Holy Monogram, and two putti holding a shield, one shield blank (plain gold), the other with arms; (3-9) pp.39, 77, 93, 108, 123, 138, and 164, busts of the Virgin or female saints; (10-11) pp.243-244, King David in Penitence in the wilderness, facing King David playing the psaltery, the full border of each with three male saints and two putti; (12) p.343, The Crucifixion, flanked by Cypress(?) trees.