Book Of Hours (use Of Rouen); In Latin And French, Illuminated Manuscript On Parchment -

FIFTEENTH-CENTURY ILLUMINATED PRAYER BOOK FROM FRANCE. In Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on parchment, illuminated by the circle of the Master of the Rouen Echevinage (Jean Coquet?), France, Rouen, c. 1470-1480. Dimensions 176 x 128 mm., 141 folios, complete, illuminated initials and line-fillers throughout, larger initials accompanied by partial borders, 8 LARGE MINIATURES WITH FULL BORDERS. BINDING: early 20th century brown paneled morocco, spine gilt (slightly rubbed). ILLUSTRATION: This beautiful Book of Hours is a fine example of Rouen illumination, decorated within the circle of the Master of the Rouen Echevinage, the leading artist in the city in the second half of the fifteenth century. The eight miniatures of the manuscript are surrounded with rich floral borders, with generous sprouts of gold, blue acanthus and stupendously lifelike depiction of birds. PROVENANCE: The style of illumination indicates that the manuscript was produced in Rouen. The calendar includes every local feast for Rouen; sixteenth-century inscription added to lower margins on ff. 1, 12v, 94v, and 141v: "Paenissiez RR de Marac."; belonged to George Becher Blomfield (1801-1885), of Mollington Hall, canon of Chester Cathedral, with his armorial bookplate; Bonhams, March 28, 2006, lot 96. CONDITION: lower corners of ff. 1 and 140 repaired, the first miniature a little smudged and darkened, especially to faces, verso of final leaf with traces of adhesion from an earlier binding not affecting text. Full description and images available. (BOH 204)