Title: Ordinaire de la Sainte Messe. Modern Illuminated Prayer Book, Late 19th Century
Condition: Very Good
A late 19th century modern illuminated prayer book, entitled Ordinaire de la Sainte Messe, or the Common of the Mass, containing a set of prayers and parts of the Roman Rite Holy Mass. The prayer book is printed in a 16-line format, in a gothic font. The prayer book itself has been fully illuminated and hand colored throughout, with numerous line fillers, illuminated initials in gold ink, and every page bordered with a different leafy frame, with various chimeras and grotesques to those frames.
There are two full-page miniatures, one representing the parish church of the sponsor, and another of Christ on the Cross with the Virgin Mary and Saint John.
One finely bound volume in 12mo, 33 pages
This volume is in very good shape, with minor rubbing and wear to the binding, heavier to the spine and hinges. There is minor foxing throughout, with light staining to the upper margins of the pages, not affecting text. Some of the ink is smudged out of the letters. Some of the gold ink has oxidized over the years, turning bronze and dulling. There is an age toned scent to the pages.