HISTOIRE ANCIENNE
MS | 27 |
MS Short Title | HISTOIRE ANCIENNE |
Text |
THE DUC DE BERRY & DUC DE NEMOUR HISTOIRE ANCIENNE |
Description | MS in French on vellum, Paris, France, ca. 1375, 2 vols., 194+153 ff. (complete), 40x28 cm, 2 columns, (30x20 cm), 52 lines in a regular Gothic book script, by Raoulet d'Orléans, in the scriptorium of King Charles V. Illuminated small initials with penwork throughout, 2 tables of Capitula headed each by a large initial in blue and gold with penwork, with a pattern of halved fleur-de-lys in gold and blue extending down the margins, 7 large illuminated initials and 78 large illuminated initials with partial borders, 76 column-wide miniatures (average 7x9 cm) in illuminated rectangular bar frames with partial ivy borders, sometimes with added drolleries. 2 half-page composite miniatures of 6 and 4 scenes respectively, in quatrefoil compartments with tricolour frames within full illuminated borders with arms, illuminated in the Royal scriptorium under the general direction of Jean Bondol, pictor regis, by several artists, closely related to works by the "Master of the Bible of Jean de Sy" (BN MS. fr. 15397) and by the "Master of the Livre du Sacré of Charles V" (BL, MS Cotton Tib. B. VIII). |
Binding | England, 1920-30, dark blue levant morocco gilt by Douglas Cockerell, sewn on 5 cords, the fore-edges painted with the arms and motto of Jacques d'Armagnac 15th c. |
Provenance | 1. King Charles V of France, or Jean, Duc de Berry (original owner); 2. Jacques d'Armagnac, Duc de Nemour (until 1477); 3. Gilette and Jean IV Raguenel de Malestroit (after 1477); 4. Jeanne and Tanneguy du Châtel, councillor and chamberlain of Louis XI (late 15th c.); 5. Joseph Smith (1682-1770), British consul at Venezia; 6. Baker & Leigh sale, London 25.1.1773:991; 7. Darker (from 1773); 8. Quaritch, London (until 1923); 9. Lady Edith Beatty, London (1923); 10. Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, London, MS 74 (1923-1932); 11. Sotheby's 7.6.1932:20; 12. The Spanish Art Gallery (1932); 13. William Randolph Hearst, San Simeon, California; 14. John A. Saks, Greenwich, Connecticut (until 1983); 15. Christie's New York 20.5. 1983:49; 16. H.P. Kraus Cat. 165 (1983):6, acquired June 1987; 17. De-accessioned April 1999 to Bruce Ferrini, Ohio. |
Exhibited | 1. Conference of European National Librarians, Oslo. Sept. 1994; 2. Vol. 1: Illuminated Manuscripts; an exhibition at the Blumka Gallery New York, January 27 to February 12 1999. |
Place of origin | Paris, France |
Dates | ca 1375 AD |