Book of Hours (Use of Paris), "The Hours of St. Alexis"
French prayer "Biau Sire Dieu"
F-14si
General Information
Original Condition
Current Condition
Book Decoration and Musical Notation
Full borders of acanthus and rinceaux in gold and colors with birds, plants, trees, and hybrids. One- to three-line initials throughout, many historiated with portraits. Roundel miniature in the outer central margin of each recto and verso illustrating several different narratives: Calendar: Labors of the Month (r) and Zodiac (v); Gospel Readings: Evangelist portraits and Biblical scenes; Marian prayers: Scenes from the Life of the Virgin and other Biblical scenes; Hours of the Virgin: Scenes from the Life of St. Katherine of Alexandria; Penitential Psalms and Office of the Dead: Scenes from the Life of St. Alexis. Attributed to the Coëtivy Master.
History
Written in Northern France in the third quarter of the fifteenth century, Use of Paris indicated by the Calendar and the responsories of the Office of the Dead. The presence of extensive illustrative cycles for the Lives of St. Alexis and of St. Catherine of Alexandria suggest that the manuscript may have been made for a married couple named Alexis and Catherine.
When complete, said to have been owned by Erza Clark Stillman (1907-95), New York, NY. Likely broken by Bruce Ferrini in the 1980s.