Title: Book of Hours, Use of Rome, Circa 1500. With an Illuminated Manuscript Dedication Leaf
Author: Philippe Pigouchet
Publisher: Paris, Philippe Pigouchet
Condition: Good
A substantial fragment of an early 16th century Book of Hours, printed on vellum, from the workshop of Philippe Pigouchet.
This book is printed in a 21-line format, in a gothic text, bearing hundreds of illuminated initials throughout, against red and blue, and the occasional illuminated line filler. While the full suite of near-full page metalcut illustrations are not completely present, there are still four of these metalcuts by the Master of the Apocalypse-Rose, including that of The Last Judgment, and Bathsheba bathing. There are also hundreds of metalcuts to the borders,
This Hours is profusely illustrated throughout, with four near-full page metalcut illustrations along with a number of smaller metalcuts, and hundreds of border metalcuts, with numerous figures, saints, birds, and more. There is also a complete suite of the grim Dance of Death, from folios m4 to p4, with the macabre metalcut depictions of Death to the borders.
The Book of Hours is preceded by a hand illuminated manuscript dedication, most likely contemporary to the publication of the Hours, or close. There is a laurel wreath at the center, surrounding two coats of arms joined by a cord, and the repeating motto “Fors Celle o Jay Fiance”, against a red background dotted with gold, and a golden monogram repeated to each of the four corners.
This incomplete Book of Hours begins at folio b1, ending on r8, with only 5 of the 17 quires being fully complete. Overall, 33 leaves are lacking.
This volume has been finely bound in 19th century leather, with gilt fleur-de-lyses tooled to the covers in repeat.
One volume in octavo, (1)+103 of 136(?) leaves
This volume is in good shape, with some rubbing and wear to the binding, the front hinge cracked but still holding. There is some foxing and soiling scattered throughout, heaviest to the first and last leaf.