Book of Hours use of Roma

Complete manuscript on vellum.
Parchment of (133) ff. and (2) blank ff.; justification 70 x 50 mm.
16 long lines per page; ruling in red ink
Havana morocco, richly decorated with a wide pattern of scrolls with small tools, within curvilinear frames; very ornate spine; broad inner dentelle; all edges gilt. 19^th-century binding, signed David and Renard. Long-grained morocco case, signed Curmer.

118 x 87 mm.

Hours according to the Use of Rome.
Ghent-Bruges illuminated manuscript decorated with 27 paintings.
Circa 1500.

Illuminated manuscript of very fine quality decorated with 27 paintings.

Charming small-format book of hours, in elegant bâtarde script, with inventive and virtuoso initials painted in gold on a background of red and blue gouache. It is illustrated with twenty-seven miniatures, and trompe-l’œil borders, in the style of Willem Vrelant (Utrecht, circa 1449 – Bruges 1481).

The manuscript begins unusually with a prayer to Saint Veronica, in a matte gold frame set with precious stones, followed by the Hours of the Virgin, alternating with the abbreviated Hours of the Holy Spirit.
This is followed by the Devout Prayers to the Virgin, the Prayers to Saint Gregory, the commemorative prayers to Saints Michael, John the Baptist, Peter and Paul, James, Christopher, Sebastian, Anthony, Nicholas and to Saints Anne, Mary Magdalene, Catherine and Barbara.
Next come the Penitential Psalms, the Office of the Dead, and a Prayer to Saint Athanasius. The manuscript concludes with Prayers to Saint Jerome, and various prayers for the Office of the Mass.

Paintings:

A) A full-page painting opens each of the four main sections
1) The Virgin and Child
2) The Annunciation
3) King David in prayer
4) The battle of the Angel and the Devil, illustrating the Office of the Dead
B) Twenty-three small panels illustrate the Alternating Hours
5) The Visitation
6) The Nativity
7) The Annunciation to the Shepherds
8) The Adoration of the Magi
9) The Presentation in the Temple
10) The Massacre of the Innocents
11) The Flight into Egypt
12) Christ in Majesty
13) Pietà, with the kneeling donor in the lower margin
14) Saint James
15) Saint Christopher
16) Saint Sebastian
17) Saint Anthony
18) Saint Nicholas
19) Saint Anne
20) Saint Mary Magdalene
21) Saint Catherine
22) Saint Barbara
23) Saint Anastasia

Remarkable Ghent-Bruges manuscript in perfect condition, adorned with 27 paintings—including 4 large ones—facing the start of a prayer, thus forming double-page spreads of great beauty, decorated with shimmering borders populated with flowers and birds.

Provenance: Carlo de Poortere, with ex-libris.