Book of Hours, Use of Besançon, in Latin and French [France (Besançon), c.1440s]

164x116mm, vellum, ii+200+ii leaves, complete, foliated in modern pencil (omitting 13-14 and repeating 147-156), in 26 quires of 8 leaves except i12, ii6, x6, xii6, xiv-xv6, xxvi8-2 (last two cancelled), 14 lines, 83x52mm, 14 large miniatures with full borders, illuminated initials throughout, insignificant wear throughout, small tear to fore-edge of f.67, bound in perhaps 17th-century brown morocco with gilt frame and lozenge-shaped centre-piece, the flat spine densely gilt, two clasps, gilt edges, the joints a bit worn, slightly scuffed but sound and very attractive

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

Bookplate of “Mr Jean Philibert Peysson de Bacot Procu[rate]ur General en la Cour des Monnoyes de lion” (f.ii verso), probably in his posthumous sale by Jacquenod, Lyon, 26 July 1779, lot 86 (“Heures manuscrites sur velin, avec figures enlumines, in-8., Marroquin”).

text and illumination

Calendar in French, with an entry for every day (f.1r); Gospel extracts (f.15r); Hours of the Virgin, Use of Besançon, with Matins (f.21r), Lauds (f.33v), Prime (f.47r), Terce (f.54r), Sext (f.58v), None (f.63v), Vespers (f.67v), Compline (f.77r); Seven Penitential Psalms (f.83r), litany (f.97r); Hours of the Cross (f.105r); Hours of the Holy Spirit (f.111r); Office of the Dead, a single nocturne (f.117r); Obsecro te (f.141r), O intemerata (f.146r); a series of prayers, some with indulgences (f.149v); another series of prayers, including one in French, and some with spaces left for rubrics (f.171r).

This Book of Hours is painted in two very distinctive styles, both of which are representative of book illumination found in manuscripts made for patrons in Besançon. Eberhard König named the main illuminator, who painted all the miniatures in the Hours of the Virgin, the Master of Charles de Neufchâtel, based on John Plummer’s grouping of manuscripts around a Book of Hours for the Use of Troyes (Houghton Library, Richardson MS 7; Last Flowering, 1982, no.79). This artist’s style is now more clearly defined as the Master of the Troyes Missal (Paris, BnF, lat.865A; see F. Avril in Manuscrits à Peintures, 1993, no.97; see also lot 47), who produced many Books of Hours for patrons in Champagne and elsewhere in eastern France. The style and luminous palette of the Master of the Troyes Missal is clearly influenced by the Parisian Bedford Master, France’s most influential illuminator of the second quarter of the 15th century. Clearly distinguishable are two miniatures painted by a second artist (Pentecost and the Mass of the Dead). This artist uses darker, more opaque colours and prefers black outlining. His work is found again in several Books of Hours connected with Besançon, and he has been described by François Avril as a Burgundian illuminator active in Besançon in the second quarter of the fifteenth century (see Manuscrits à Peintures, 1993, p.197; to the listed works can be added another Book of Hours, Use of Besançon, offered by Les Enluminures online).

The endleaves have coloured engravings signed “C de Mallery fecit”, of the Adoration of the Magi and the Crucifixion.

The subjects of the miniatures are: (1) f.21r, Annunciation; (2) f.33v, Visitation; (3) f.47r, Nativity; (4) f.54r, Annunciation to the Shepherds; (5) f.58v, Adoration of the Magi; (6) f.63v, Presentation in the Temple; (7) f.68r, Flight into Egypt; (8) f.77r, Coronation of the Virgin; (9) f.83r, David in Penitence; (10) f.105r, Crucifixion; (11) f.111r, Pentecost; (12) f.117r, Funeral Service, marginal scenes of mourners, and burial; (13) f.141r, Virgin and Child with angels; (14) f.171r, Trinity.