Book of Hours, Use of Rome, in Latin [Italy (Florence), c.1470s]

119x84mm, vellum, ii+246+ii leaves, complete, in 27 quires of 10 except i12, xiii6, xv8, xix8, xx4, xxiv4, xxv6, xxvii8, catchwords throughout, 11 lines, 63x43mm, 4 large historiated initials with full borders incorporating further figures, 1 large decorated initial with a full border, flourished initials throughout, slight cropping of the extremities of the borders, otherwise in excellent condition, bound in 18th-century red morocco over pasteboards, each cover framed with gilt foliate designs enclosing a central design with plants and birds, spine gilt, with title, gilt edges, joints and middle of spine a bit worn, corners bumped, but generally in very good condition

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."

provenance

(1) Written and illuminated in Florence.

(2) Marie-Louise-Elisabeth d'Orleans, Duchesse de Berry (1695-1719), with her armorial bookplate.

(3) Louis-Joseph de Bourbon, Prince de Condé (1736-1818), with his ink stamps of "Monseigr. le Prince de Condé, Gouv. de Bourgogne et Bresse" (f.1)

(4) École royale militaire, Soreze, with their ink stamp; two other ink stamps not identified.

text and illumination

Calendar (f.1r); Hours of the Virgin, "secundum consuetudinem Romane curie", with Matins (f.13r), Lauds (f.27v), Prime (f.46r), Terce (f.52v), Sext (f.59v), None (f.65v), Vespers (f.71v), Compline (f.83v); Office of the Dead (f.113r); Seven Penitential Psalms (f.189r), litany (f.208r); Hours of the Cross (f.223r); Fifteen Gradual Psalms (f.229r).

Francesco di Antonio del Chierico (1433-1484) worked as a manuscript illuminator and goldsmith in Florence. Among his august patrons are Cosimo, Piero and Lorenzo de’ Medici as well as Federigo da Montefeltro. Del Chierico was also an associate of the renowned bookseller Vespasiano da Bisticci, who helped him acquire patrons outside Florence, including Federigo da Montefeltro, Ferdinand I, King of Naples (see also lot 74), Louis XI of France, and Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary (see also lot 72). Characteristic for Antonio del Chierico’s style are figures with pale flesh tones and soft rosy shading, as well as animated borders with lively putti and birds.

The subjects of the historiated initials are: (1) f.13r, Virgin and Child, the child holding a finch, the border with five saints, John the Baptist, and putti holding the Holy Monogram; (2) f.113r, Death personified as a skeleton with a scythe, the border with a young male saint and a putto; (3) f.189r, King David playing a psaltery, the borders with a cherub and a prophet holding a scroll inscribed "Moderata"; (4) f.223r, Man of Sorrows, the border with two putti holding up the sudarium in front of a cross.