Landmark Books in All Fields
ItemID: #114895
Cost: $12,750.00

Illuminated Leaf from a Book of Hours

Book of hours

"CONVERT US, O GOD, OUR SAVIOR": EXTRAORDINARY ILLUMINATED LEAF FROM A FRENCH BOOK OF HOURS, CIRCA 1470, FEATURING A BEAUTIFUL HAND-COLORED MINIATURE OF THE CORONATION OF THE VIRGIN

(ILLUMINATED LEAF). Illuminated Leaf from a Book of Hours. Rouen, France, circa 1470. Single vellum leaf (4-1/4 by 6-1/4 inches), illuminated in gold, black, white, gray, red, pink, green, blue, and brown inks. Window matted and framed, entire piece measures 13 by 10 inches. $12,750.

Beautiful illuminated leaf from a French Book of Hours, circa 1470, featuring a complex miniature of the Coronation of the Virgin, four lines of the Compline, stunning borders, and elaborate four- and one-line initials.

This beautiful illuminated leaf is from a Book of Hours from Rouen, France, circa 1470. In Marian devotion, the mother of Jesus is also the Queen of Heaven. Since at least the 12th century, the Virgin Mary has borne the title Regina Coeli in much Roman Catholic liturgy and piety, as well as art. Her coronation proved a popular subject for medieval painters, scribes, and illuminators. This leaf comprises four lines from the Compline, one four-line initial, one one-line initial, elaborate borders, and an intricate arched miniature of the Coronation of the Virgin. Mary, dressed in her iconic blue robes highlighted with gold, kneels at the foot of God as he blesses and prepares to crown her. Mary is attended by three angels engaged in crowning her with a halo, praying, and playing the harp. All of the faces contain unique detail, as does the background. The recto also has a single four-line initial initial rendered in a blue and white pattern on a gilt ground embellished with a flower and leaves and a one-line initial in gold on a red and blue filigreed ground. The border elevates the traditional leaves, sprays, and acanthus leaves with flowers and fruit as well as two grotesques (one part-man) and a man in a field of flowers. The border has lovely movement due to the alternating use of white and gilt grounds. The verso, executed in a similar style, features 13 lines of script in black and red; four one-line initials rendered in gilt on filigreed red and blue grounds; three line extenders in the same style; and a lovely border.

Fine condition.

Main Office & Gallery: 1608 Walnut Street, 19th Floor .::. Philadelphia, PA 19103 .::. 215-546-6466 .::. fax 215-546-9064
web: www.baumanrarebooks.com .::. email: [email protected]