

The leaf with the Annunciation to the Shepherds miniature was in a distinguished collection in Belgium until sold in these rooms, 7 July 2015, lot 46; the leaves with St Matthew, the Annunciation, Pentecost, and the Coronation of the Virgin were in Christie’s online auction, 3 December 2015, lots 22, 23. The style is charming and distinctive: another Book of Hours in the same style, also of the Use of Coutances, was in the collection of J.R. Abbey, sold in our rooms, 20 June 1978, lot 2983 (with 5 reproductions).
Images depicting the carrying of the coffin from the church to the grave are exceptionally unusual; this one includes, below a remarkable gold and black sky, such rare details as the boy leading the procession, ringing hand-bells, and the sexton’s spade and hoe laid across the grave, perhaps to try to prevent anyone from falling in.