[BOOK OF HOURS]. A Decorated Prayer Book. (France: Second half of the 17th century or later).

11 x 9 inches (267 x 235 mm). 15 unnumbered leaves (f. 1-12 vellum; f. 13-15 paper; f. 16-17 missing). Single column, about 11 lines per page, in neat hand. Decoration unfinished on ff. 2r, 4v – 9r, 11v- 12v. (Quire 1 [f. 1-6] detached, some discoloring and warping.) Near contemporary leather and paper binding, coat of arms is affixed to upper cover depicting a knight’s helmet above a green painted shield, presenting a rooster resting atop a castle, flanked by two lions and three fleur-di-lies painted in gold-yellow on a red field (Spine perished, overall wear).

A unique manuscript which appears to have been created some time reigns of either Louis XIII [ b.1601-1643; r. 1610-1643] or Louis XIV [ b.1638-1715; r.1643-1715] of France. The special deference paid to 3 Counter-Reformation saints [The St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen [1577-1622], St. Felix on Cantalice [1515-1587], and St. Joseph of Leonessa [1556-1612]] helps place the prayer book somewhere in the 17th or very early 18th century and calls to mind the religious and political chaos which plagued Europe’s long 17th century. The manuscript’s repeated attempts to link Bourbon supremacy with the legendary rule of St. Louis IX [1214-1270], also reflect this uncertainty. While the book’s decoration shares some similarities with Baroque ornamentation, and the style of its script matches Getty Ms. 11a, another decorated book attributed to Louis XIV, this manuscript is distinctively more rugged. Meaning it is unlikely this book was executed for someone in the immediate orbit of the royal court.

Complete contents and information available on request.