Castle hours # 5, use of Paris, 1425 - 1450
Overview
This is a French book of hours from the second quarter of the fifteenth century. All the full-page miniatures have been excised and many sections of the text break off or begin imperfectly. There are two three- line illuminated initials with penwork extensions and two-and one-line illuminated initials with penwork extensions throughout. Much of the gold on the text has worn off and the inks have faded and are smeared throughout. The name "M. DeVilleroy" and "Villeroy" occurs on the top or bottom margin in ink on several leaves throughout the text in a later hand.
Table of contents: Hymn Ave verum, written in a later hand; Calendar of Paris, in French; Gospel Pericopes and Passion of St. John; Prayers (Obsecro te and O Intemerata); Hours of the Virgin, use of Paris; Short Hours of the Cross; Office of the Dead, use unidentified;
Dates
- Creation: 1425 - 1450
Extent
1 Volumes
Language
Latin
French, Middle (ca.1400-1600)
Custodial History
Written in the Paris/Rouen region of France in about 1430. Early provenance unknown. The name "M. DeVilleroy," and "Villeroy," occur in the top or the bottom margin on several leaves throughout the text in a later hand; on f. 1r: "Villeroy / Jacques," on 9v: "Villeroy 1755". On f. ii recto in a modern hand: "Offert par M. Long Depaquit." Bookplate: "Ex libris CP". In the collection of Ethelinda Schaefer Castle until bequest.
Other related names
- Villeroy, Jacques, former owner
- Castle, Ethelinda Schaefer, former owner
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Given by Ethelinda Schaefer Castle by bequest to Bryn Mawr College in 1971.
Physical Description
All full-page miniatures missing; for many sections, text breaks off or begins imperfectly.
Parchment support.ff. ii (contemporary paper) + iv (modern parchment) + 96 + iv (modern parchment) + ii (contemporary paper)/
Eighteenth-century gold-tooled, acid-stained calf. On spine in gold: "Heures".
vi+96+vi; 181 x 117 mm bound to 190 x 130 mm
Single column, fifteen lines, ruled in red ink with single vertical and horizontal bounding lines, full length; written area: 95 x 58 mm
Gothic -- textualis quadrata script
Text is badly mutilated, no illuminations remain, although the number and location of the text lacunae suggest past presence. Surviving decoration includes one 3-line (f. 19r) and numerous 2-line burnished gold initials with spidery penwork extensions: vine stems embellished with gold, pink, and blue leaves and flowers. Initials are on a dull pink and blue letter-shaped ground decorated with white pen lines; ground framed in black. 1-line line fillers, either the same design or 1-line flowers in pink, blue, and gold with black penwork. Headings in red throughout. Much of the gold has worn off, especially on the leaves in the extensions, showing gesso. Traces of a pale green in the penwork extensions on f. 64v suggest green was also used and has worn off. Some fading and smearing of the black and red inks has occurred.
Modern foliation in pencil, upper right recto.
Function
Genre / Form
Geographic
Temporal
Topical
Find It at the Library
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