Auction : History roll ~ Psalterium ~ Horae …

Sur ebay, plusieurs pièces intéressantes. Les notices sont celles des vendeurs …
§ Un document d’origine française assez exceptionnel: une pancarte chronique du XIVe s.

Comment Godefroy de Billon conquist Ierusalem et en fut fait roy. etc

A 14 or 15th century sheet of parchment (125 x 57 cm) which traces the history and descent of the Popes, the Holy Roman Emperors, the Kings of France and of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Lot 111 in the celebrated Hauck sale (the History of the Book, 28 june 2006) was the last time to my knowledge that a complete roll came up for auction 55.5 x 1915cm (63’10\ » x 1’10\ ») and made a staggering 140.000 $.
In the last section of the sheet, the following genealogy of kings and queens is mentioned:
Philip IV (April-June 1268 – November 29, 1314)
Philip V (c.1292/93 – 3 January 1322)
Blanche of Valois (1317–1348)
On left side is a list with popes
Clement VI (1342-52)
Innocent VI (1352-62)
Urban V (1362-70)
Gregory XI (1370-78)
Urban VI (1378-89)
As I can figure out the segment next to Clement VI talks about indulgences, and I take this to refer to the Bull Unigenitus, January 27, 1343, in order to justify the power of the pope and the use of indulgences.
For it says in the HAUCK catalogue:
Other versions survive, showing that it was a composition (meaning the history of the kings of France, the conquest Jerusalem etc) that was repeatedly updated to provide a pedigree for the current King of France. For example the introduction to the manuscript in Paris (Bib. Nat. MS fr. 61) that ends with Charles VII (d.1461) declares the scope of the work to continue until 1375 and Charles V. The copyist obviously overlooked this anachronism. There is a similar scribal oversight in the present manuscript showing that this too was an updated copy of an earlier text.
Four other Chronicle rolls closely related to the Hauck manuscript and apparently copies of the same version are in the New York Public Library, MS 124 (New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Secular Spirit: Life and Art at the end of the Middle Ages, 1975, p.166), Cambridge, Mass., Houghton Library, bMS Typ 41 [Link] (Roger Wieck, Late Medieval and Renaissance Illuminated Manuscripts 1350-1525 in the Houghton Library, Cambridge, Mass. 1983, pp. 22-23), A roll in the London Borough of Croydon Archive and a roll formerly the property of the Earl of Derby sold at Christie’s, London, 26 November 1997 lot 5, for £40,000.
Illumination:
There are three miniature roundels: two of a king and one of a knight or king in a boat. Most likely depicting Godefroy de Bouillon on board a ship to conquer the Holy land (his name is mentioned in the manuscript). In the text 39 illuminated capitals, in blue with burnished gold.
Link: ebay Item number: 300198922634

§ Un psautier-hymnaire du XIV. Sud de la France, ou Italie.

111 f. 142 x 102 mm
Description: Measures approx. 6\ » x 4.25\ » (142 x 102mm) Collation is as follows: (1-11(8), 12(9) (of 10, lacking v, a blank? exised during construction?, a3(8), 14(6). 11 and vIII are blanks, as both 141 and v1. Both 1(8) and 14 have been folded back to form fly leaves when the present binding was put on. 28 lines written in a round gothic bookhand in dark brown and black ink. In two columns, except for the Kalendarium, between 4 verticals and 29 horizontals. Justification, written space 102 x 71mm; rubrics in red. Two-line initials in red or blue to begin with; hymns and canticles with penwork infill decoration and flourishes extending into margins. Each sentence beginning with a one-line initial in alternate red and blue. Eight historiated initials (Five seven-line; two six-line, and one five-line). Of very high quality. Some rubbing in places with a slight loss of text (except under UV light) at 12.8 recto. Written in one main hand, with a few additions by two other hands, the neater of which may have written the Kalendarium. There is no foliation, but 12 of the 14 gatherings have catchwords at the bottom of the verso of their last leaf, answered by the first word of the next gathering. These are from gatherings 2 to 13 inclusive. Content: (1) Kalendarium. (1.2 recto to 1.7 verso). Then (2) The 150 Psalms, interspersed with 25 hymns, dominical and ferial, with canticles, antiphons, and rubrics for offices of Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext etc. (On 2.1 recto to 12.1 verso column a). Then (3) Hymns, Canticles, including Magnificat, Nunc Dimittis, TeDeum etc and Litany. The main text begins at 2. 1 recto with Incipit Liber Hymnorum vel Soliloquiorum Prophetans de Christo etc. Quire 12 has nine leaves. One leaf (the 5th in order) has been neatly removed, leaving only a stub. One would expect the bibliofola to conjunct thus; 1+10, 2+9, 3+8, 4+7, 5+6 but 5 is not conjunct with 6. Without stressing the binding, it is difficult to see its fellow. However it may have been cut out during the writing of this quire, as otiose. Comparison with the list of saints invoked in the Litany in York Minister Library Psalterium XVI.0.19 (of the 13th Century) reveals that ‘Omnes Sancti Confessores’ is immediately followed by ‘Sancta Maria Magdalena’. This is exactly the same sequence as we find here from the last entry on 12.4 verso and the and the first entry on the recto of the next text leaf. There is the further point that had a text leaf been lost, it would have had to contain an additional 112 saints names. For both these reasons, it seems safe to conclude that no text is missing, and that this handsome volume from circa 1350 A.D.
Illumination: The subjects of the historiated initials, and their placing are as follows: 2.1 Recto: Beatus Vir Qui. (Psalm 1) King David against cobalt blue background; the aged King plucks a four-stringed harp and wears a golden crown and halo. 3.5 Verso: Dominus Illuminatio Mea. (Psalm 26). S.James the Great. Against a pink oval field, clutching a black cross, with his left side covered by a lime green gown. Also a rough brown hair shirt etc. 5.4 Verso. Dixit Insipiens. In Corde Suo. (Psalm 52). A Fool against a light blue background, wearing a five-pointed jesters crown, and a three-buttoned orange tunic. His right hand loosely grips a curiously-headed rattle. There are further miniatures for Psalm 68 (S. Laurence); Psalm 80 (S.Benedict?), Psalm 97 (St. Barbara) and Psalm 109 (Christ). The 150 Psalms were sung each week. The historiated initials placed at the head of the Psalms mentioned, mark the first Psalms for Matins each day, and the first Psalm for Sunday Vespers. Hence there are, as there should be, eight such initials. The Hymarium with its 68 hymns begins at 12.8 recto. Its beginning is marked by an initial ‘P’ (for Primo dierium omnium). The figure which would originally have been within the bowl of the ‘P’ has, puzzingly, been rubbed out. (May one guess at a saint who subsequently fell into disfavour, or who’s feast was suppressed?)
Binding: The hollow back indicates the present binding to be later than 1770, probably 19th century. The covers are blindtooled to a panel design using a 7-line fillet, Inside this border is an intricate interlace pattern etc. Vellum pastedowns and rougher parchment endleaves. The four compartments of the spine are decorated with an X pattern framed by a 3-line fillet on each side. The sewing does not correspond with the three false raised bands, and its brightness suggests it may well be contemporary with the binding. The slight worming in the gutter margin of the Kalendarium leaves is not continued into the Incipit leaf which follows. This, coupled with the different hand of the Kalendarium from that of the main text, may suggest that the Kalendarium was written a little later than the main text.
Dating: A terminus post quem for the Kalendarium is provided by the presence of Peter Martyr O.P. among the April Saints. He was not canonised until 1253. A terminus for the main text is given by the inclusion (13.5 recto) of the Feast of Corpus Christi, whose observance was commanded by Urbanus IV in the Bull Transiturus of 1264. The liturgical, gothic bookhand remained remarkably consistent even to the end of the 15th century, but to suggest a date in the middle of the 14th century would seem reasonable. (1270 A.D.-1350 A.D.) Colouring and stylistic features of the historiated initials are both consonant with this date of 1350 A.D. Research into costume dress and features (eg. The three buttons of the Fools smock) (5.4 verso) may help to furnish a more precise date still.
Provenance: Of the saints in the Kalendarium whose feasts have a local rather than a general celebration, some 29 enjoy special veneration in the South of France and North Italy. The Feasts have either three or nine readings attached to them – a mark of a secular rather than a monastic church. This Psalterium seems likely to have been written then for a secular church somewhere near the borders between Provence and Northern Italy, a church rich enough to pay the services of an accomplished painter of miniatures.
Link: ebay Item number: 330208582330

§ HORAE B.M.V. Illuminated Manuscript Book of Hours.
Très modeste Livre d’heures.

Use of Poiters, France, Circa 1460 – 1480.
107 leaves on vellum, 99 x 77.5 mm with 17 lines per page.
Written in brown ink of letter batarde script. Rubrics in red, initials throughout in burnished gold on red and blue grounds and calendar with major feasts in red.
Seven leaves with ¾ borders of acanthus leaves and flowers with burnished gold bezants, three and four line initials of burnished gold on colored grounds, and colored initials on burnished gold grounds. Two miniatures in arched compartments above two and eight lines of text with full borders of colored acanthus leaves, flowers, branches and a bird.
Rebound in recent years in genuine 15th century red brocade velvet having string closures and nail studs on fore-edge of binding.
Fifteenth century English lead pilgrim badge mounted on front fly-leaf, probably remounted there when rebound.
f. 1-12. Calendar
f. 13. Fragments of Passion according to St John
f. 14v-17. Intercessory Prayers to the Virgin
f. 18-20. Blanks, ruled and lined
f. 21r-29r. The Hours of the Virgin (Matins); opens with a miniature of the Annunciation in a Gothic interior
f. 29v-38. Lauds through Vespers, each Hour opened with a ¾ border
f. 39r-56. Compline opened with a ¾ border
f. 57r-66. Penitential Psalms opens with miniature of King David in Prayer
f. 67r-70v. Litany of Saints
f. 71-100. Miscellaneous prayers
f. 101-102. Blanks, ruled and lined
f. 103. Prayers in Fench
f. 104-107. Prayers in Latin
Largely fine throughout, text lightly faded, a few leaves slightly rumpled, miniatures lightly thumbed with some light chipping. An elegant little personal prayer book no-doubt once owned by a wealthy nobleman or woman.
Link: ebay Item number: 270207745449

Un processionnal des dominicaines du monastère des Emmurées de Saint-Mathieu de Rouen

Le couvent des frères prêcheurs de Rouen fut fondé par saint Louis, dans le manoir Saint-Mathieu, au faubourg Saint-Sever, hors le pont, que le roi avait acquis dès 1261 de l’archevêque Eudes Rigault, en échange du vivier de Martainville. Y succédèrent les religieuses dites Emmurées, et antérieurement Sœurs de Saint-Dominique. En juin 1266, le roi leur fit présent d’une épine de la sainte couronne et de magnifiques ornements. Après sa mort, on leur donna un des os de sa main, dans un reliquaire de cristal.
Farin nous apprend qu’on lisait autrefois, à l’entrée de l’église, la vieille épitaphe sur pierre, ci-après :
L’an mil deux cent soixante-neuf,
Ce monastère fut fait neuf
Que l’en dit les sœurs Emmurées,
Et lequel en temps ancien
Saint Louis, roi très chrétien.
De François fonda en ce lieu
Au titre de saint Mathieu
De son règne l’an troisième
Avec le quarantième.
(Histoire de Rouen, édition 1738)

En faite, la date de la fondation du premier monastère est inconnue. Il fut détruit en 962, et dépendait de l’abbaye de Marmoutier (Indre-et-Loire). Occupé par les jacobins de 1222 à 1247, puis par les dominicaines à partir de 1263. Chapelle construite fin 3e quart 13e siècle. Couvent ruiné lors du siège de Rouen par Henri V roi d’ Angleterre en 1418. Reconstruction de la chapelle, consacrée en 1479. Cloître 15e siècle. Couvent dévasté par les Calvinistes en 1562 et lors du siège de Rouen par Henri IV en 1591. Travaux de restauration au 17e siècle. Nef (et peut-être choeur) reconstruite en 1666. Supprimé à la Révolution. Bâtiments conventuels détruits vers 1855. Chapelle détruite par un incendie en 1876. Vestiges du cloître détruits vers 1935 © Inventaire général, 1986.
Sources: service régional de l’inventaire Haute-Normandie
Biblio: Paul Baudry, Le monastère des Emmurés, dans Revue de Rouen, 1848, p. 545-560. Sauvage, R.-N., Notes sur le monastère des Emmurées de Rouen, S.l.n.d. Voir cartulaire aux AD 76, H 68.
 
Arader Galleries de New York présente à la vente un processionnal ayant appartenu au monastère des dominicaines de Saint-Mathieu de Rouen. Le manuscrit fut par la suite en possession du bibliophile normand Jacques Ribard (sans-doute Jacques Paul Vincent Adrien Ribard (° 24/01/1738, + 11/11/1813), fils de Jean-Nicolas Ribard & d’Elisabeth Sangdelion.
Notice du catalogue:
PROCESSIONAL, for the use of Dominican nuns, in Latin and French, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM [France, c.1520 and 1674] 225 x 158 mm. 69 leaves: iv +18, 23 (ii a singleton), 310 (vii and viii a bifolium), 42, 5-64, 72, 88, 96, 10-144, pagination 1-132 followed here, pp.i-iv, pp.35-40, pp.65 and pp.83-134 are all part of the 1674 remodelling, when pp.133 and 134 were left blank, nine lines of music of square notation on a four-line stave of red between nine lines written in black ink in a gothic bookhand, justification: 193 x 108mm, rubrics in red, capitals touched yellow, original leaves with two-line initials of liquid gold on grounds of brick-red or blue and gold decoration within the rubrics, antiphons opening with either fine two-line illuminated initials with monochrome staves against grounds of liquid gold, usually with a flower-sprig as an infill, or with two-line black calligraphic initials with yellow wash, TWELVE LARGE HISTORIATED INITIALS with staves of liquid gold against grounds of red and blue, the biblical scenes in full colour and highlighted with liquid gold, TWO FULL-PAGE ILLUMINATED BORDERS, one of renaissance architectural forms, the other containing the standing figures of saints between flower-sprays against a liquid gold ground; the later leaves of the same format but with up to 28 lines on text-only pages, and restricted to two-line initials of red (borders rubbed, three historiated initials smudged, text erased and replaced, some text alterations made by pasting on updatings). Contemporary calf, panelled in blind with spine gilt in six compartments and with red morocco lettering-piece (some rubbing). CONTENT: Prefatory instructions ff.ii-iv; Table of contents ff.iv verso; chants for the processions on the following feasts: Purification of the Virgin, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Ascension, Corpus Christi, Dedication of the Church, St Dominic, Assumption, St Louis, King of France, St Matthew, All Souls’ Day, St Adrian, St Roch pp.1-97; Offices for taking the veil, for the burial of the Dead and the Office of the Dead, Antiphon of St Barbara pp.97-132; chants in honour of the Virgin added in a slightly later hand pp. 133-134. The Processional has undergone extensive remodelling from its original form. This may have been to bring it into line both with post-Tridentine usage and the liturgical requirements of S. Mathieu at Rouen. Sections of text and music have been erased and replaced with detailed instructions and rubrics in French, often evoking a vivid picture of the ritual of religious life. ILLUMINATION: The historiated initials are the work of the illuminator known as the Master of Girard Acarie from his work in the splendid copy of the Roman de la Rose that Acarie presented to Francois I around 1525: Margareta Friesen, Der Rosenroman fur Francois I. New York Pierpont Morgan Library M.948, Graz 1993. The Master, along with the Master of the Ango Hours — with whom he sometimes collaborated — was part of the final phase of illuminated manuscript production in Rouen, where the trade in luxury manuscripts continued to flourish well into the 16th century, benefitting from the patronage of Cardinal d’Amboise, Louise of Savoy and other members of the court of Francois I. On a more modest scale, as befits its liturgical and monastic provenance, the present manuscript is, nonetheless, a characteristic demonstration of the Master of Girard Acarie’s decorative and suave style. The subjects of the historiated initials are as follows: p.1 Presentation in the Temple with full-page border; p.7 Entry into Jerusalem; p.18 Agony in the Garden; p.22 Christ washing Peter’s feet; p.41 Resurrection with full-page border; p.44 Transfiguration; p.49 Ruler offering bread and wine; p.55 Dedication of a Church; p.61 St Dominic; p.67 Assumption; p.73 St Louis; p.77 Apostle. Provenance: 1. The presence of three Dominican saints in the border of p.41 and the provision for the procession on the feast of St Dominic, p.61, suggest that the manuscript was originally made for the use of a Dominican convent. The style of illumination indicates that the manuscript was made in Rouen around 1425. 2. The title-page identifies the manuscript as ‘Pour le Chantre du Royal Monastere de S. Mathieu dit les Emmurees … Rouen‘ in the year 1674. The manuscript does contain the chants for the feasts of the Dedication of the Church and St Louis of France — founder of S. Mathieu — processions that the introduction says are specific to that convent, but it is unlikely that it was originally intended for the use of the precentress there. The manuscript was extensively modified in order to customise it, and other feasts specifically marked with a procession at the convent of S. Mathieu are part of the later additions, or, in the case of St Matthew, an adaptation of the feast for the Common of an Apostle. 3. M. Ribard, rue Morand [Rouen]: his label inside the upper cover. 4. Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872): Ms 4393 (spine label and inscribed on flyleaf), bought from Royez; British Library, Loan 36/18.
Catalogue en ligne [Lien]

Richer de Senones et Jean Herculanus

La vente du 31 janvier 2008 (Paris, Cornette de Saint-Cyr) propose sous le lot 58 un très intéressant manuscrit concernant l’histoire de la Lorraine.
• Fratris Richerii Senoniensis religiosi Liber.
•• Anthonii illustrissi[mi] Lotharingie ducis vita.
Il s’agit d’un manuscrit de la première moitié du XVIe siècle en un volume petit in-12° (97 x 142 mm), maroquin brun, décor à froid ornant les plats, dos à nerfs (reliure fin XIXe s.) réunissant deux ouvrages distincts:
• Fratris Richerii Senoniensis religiosi Liber [Chronique de l’abbaye de Senones], par Richer, religieux de cette abbaye, suivi de:
•• Anthonii illustrissi[mi] Lotharingie ducis vita [Histoire d’Antoine (le Bon), duc de Lorraine], par Jean Herquel, dit Herculanus, chanoine de Saint-Dié.
119 f. numérotés (y compris la table) et 8 f. non numérotés.
Le premier manuscrit est daté de 1539 (f. 114) et la table porte les dates de 1539 (f. 118v) et 1545 (f. 119v). Textes rubriqués; lettrines rouges et bleues, la première ornée d’armoiries.
Quelques inscriptions manuscrites additionnelles en début et en fin du volume, dont quelques exlibris. L’une de ces mentions signale que « ce livre a appartenu à Jean Herquel, dit Herculanus, chanoine de St-Diez, qui a composé l’Histoire de St Diez qu’il a tiré presque en entier du présent ouvrage […]. »

On trouvera dans l’étude [en ligne] de Marie-José Gasse-Grandjean, Manuscrits médiévaux des monastères et chapitres vosgiens. Catalogues et inventaires (ARTEM / MENESTREL) plusieurs références à d’autres manuscrits du texte de Richer, moine de Senones (Epinal BM 121 & 229; Paris BnF Lat. 10016 (XIIIe s.), et de celui de Jean Herculanus (Nancy BM 537(348)

Richerii, Senoniensis monachi, historiarum liber.—Incipit :« Cum ea que, de mundi hujus creatione. » — 1588. Ecrit à longues lignes, en cursive. Il ne manque qu’un ou deux feuillets à la fin. La table est complète; elle se termine ainsi : Expliciunt capitula quinque librorum tractatus fratris Richerii, monachi Senoniensis, 1588, penultima Julii. » A la suite deux feuillets de prières. Cette chronique a été publiée par Dachery. (Voy. Spicil. t. II, p. 603, édit. in-fol.) D. Calmet en a donné des fragments dans les Preuves de son Histoire de Lorraine, et M. J. Cayon en a publié une traduction ancienne du XVIe siècle, intitulée: Chronique de Richer, moine de Senones, traduction française du XVIe siècle, sur un texte beaucoup plus complet que tous ceux connus jusqu’ici, publiée pour la première fois avec des éclaircissements historiques, sur les manuscrits des Tiercelin, de Nancy, et de la bibliothèque publique de la même ville. Nancy, librairie de Cayon-Liebault, 1843 (in-4°, 248 p., tiré à 100 exemplaires)
Sources: Catalogue général des manuscrits des bibliothèques des départements, III, 1861, p. 435
Catalogue de la vente du 31 janvier 2008 [en ligne] sur le site de Bibliorare

Auction : Livre d’Heures à l’usage de Cambrai

Late fifteenth century, comprising Calendar in French, including SS. Medart, Landelin, Vedast, Geri (Gaugeri), Bishop of Cambrai and Nicasie (14 December, in red), Prayers, including O intemerata, and Sequences of the Gospels and Hours of the Holy Ghost; Hours of the Cross. Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary, penitential psalms and litany, hymns and prayers including the seven words from the Cross and les joyes nostre dame, suffrages of the saints, including Gaugeric, Office of the dead, five half-page miniatures depicting the Crucifixion, Pentecost, the Annunciation, David in Prayer and the raising of Lazarus, all beautifully executed and extended to full-page by ornate borders, illuminated initials and borders throughout with generous use of gold, 14.2 x 9.5cm, 158 leaves, eighteenth century red morocco gilt, covers with ornate gilt leaf and flower design, spines gilt in compartments, gilt dentelles, g.e., green morocco slipcase.

A very attractive late 15th century Book of Hours, Use of Cambrai in a fine eighteenth century binding. The manuscript was evidently written for a woman, the prayers O intemerata and Deprecor te domina both having the feminine form percatrici.

Provenance: Denys François du Rieu, 16 February 1686, purchase inscription on verso of final leaf.

Lyon & Turnbull [Link]
33 Broughton Place
Edinburgh
On EBAY n° 280185742096