Book of Hours (Use of Paris), "The Hours of St. Alexis"

French prayer "Biau Sire Dieu"

F-14si

Unknown, Current Location Unknown, Charles Puckett Rare Books IM-343

General Information

Title Book of Hours (Use of Paris), "The St. Alexis Hours"
Material Parchment
Place of Origin France (Northern)

Original Condition

Page Height at least 195 mm
Page Width at least 142 mm
Height of Written Area at least 85 mm
Width of Written Area at least 62 mm
Number of Columns 1
Number of Lines at least 13

Current Condition

Dimensions 195 x 142 (85 x 62) mm

Book Decoration and Musical Notation

Description

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

Origin

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.

Provenance

When complete, said to have been owned by Erza Clark Stillman (1907-95), New York, NY. Likely broken by Bruce Ferrini in the 1980s.