Ecole Parisienne - [SUITE CONTINUE DE 5 FEUILLETS (10 PAGES)] Livre d'Heures enluminé – Paris, début du XVe siècle - 1400

Important and rare coherent ensemble of 5 physical folios (10 consecutive pages), excerpts from a prestigious handwritten Book of Hours on parchment, produced in Paris at the very beginning of the 15th century (under the reign of Charles VI).

The major interest of this lot lies in its absolute liturgical continuity. Unlike medieval folios usually sold scattered, these 5 leaves form an intact textual block, with no missing word, covering the entirety of the Office of Tierce (Paris Use) from its mechanical transition to its closing formula.

Technical characteristics:
• Support: Vellum / fine and flexible parchment.
• Dimensions: 17 cm x 12 cm (aristocratic pocket format sought).
• Script: High-quality liturgical Gothic script (textualis) in black ink, rubrics (prayer instructions) in red ink.
• Origin: France, Paris (typical International Gothic style, close to the Master of Boucicaut or the Master of Bedford).

Rigorous sequence of the 5 folios (Continuous reading order):

• Folio 1 (Liturgical transition and Opening of Tierce):
• Recto: End of the hymn “Memento salutis auctor” dedicated to the Virgin. The text notably contains the famous verses “Maria mater gratie, mater misericordie, tu nos ab hoste protege...”. The page closes at the bottom with the beginning of the doxological formula “...qui natus es de virgine cum pa[tre]”. Ornate initials and line endings in blue, white and gold.
• Verso: Large half-page miniature of the Presentation in the Temple. The text opens solemnly beneath the painting with the large initial “D” introducing the official start of the Hour of Tierce: “Deus in adiutorium meum intende...”. Rich border decorations consisting of delicate ivy scrolls with gold leaf, flowers (pansies, cornflowers) and small fruits.

• Folio 2 (Psalm 125):
• Recto: Perfect link with the verso of Folio 1. Contains the complete Psalm 125 (“In convertendo Dominus...”).
• Verso: End of Psalm 125 and red introduction of the following psalm.

• Folio 3 (Psalm 126):
• Recto: Perfect link. Repeats the verses of Psalm 126 (“Nisi Dominus edificaverit domum...”).
• Verso: Continuation and end of Psalm 126.

• Folio 4 (Psalm 127):
• Recto: Perfect link. Directly continues with Psalm 127 (“Beati omnes qui timent Dominum...”).
• Verso: End of Psalm 127 (“...super Israel...”) and immediate shift to the collective prayers (“Oremus. Oratio...”).

• Folio 5 (The Prayers and the Closing of the Office):
• Recto: Continuation of the series of prayers and intercessions of the Hour of Tierce.
• Verso: Absolute end of this liturgical section, concluding remarkably with the full traditional formula: “Benedicamus Domino. Deo gratias”.

Scientific elements of dating and authentication (Parisian style ca. 1400-1415):
Several palaeographic and stylistic criteria visible in the visuals indisputably confirm this early 15th-century dating:

1. The ivy scrolls: The fine trilobed ivy borders with gold leaf surrounding the main miniature are the exclusive signature of Parisian production under Charles VI.
2. The pictorial style (International Gothic): The miniature features characteristics very close to the Master of Boucicaut’s circle: extremely fine oval faces, soft cascading drapery (notably on the Virgin’s robe) and a deep blue night background flecked with gold, typical of this decade before the appearance of atmospheric perspective and realistic skies.
3. The color palette and script: The use of the Parisian three-color combination (blue, pink, white) for the initials and line endings on a burnished gold ground, as well as the highly regular prestige Gothic script (textualis), firmly anchor these pages in the first quarter of the century.

Condition:
Very good overall for folios of this age. The pigments of the main miniature remain bright; the burnished gold maintains its relief. The margins are healthy and generous. Some natural minor browning and scattered humidity stains on the parchment of the text pages, never affecting the legibility of the calligraphy.

Shipping:
Ultra-secure shipment via international express carrier (DHL Express, FedEx or UPS) with insurance at adjudication value (Ad Valorem). Packaging in a neutral acid-free pouch, sandwiched between two rigid boards to prevent bending.