Horae. Preces.

Middle Dutch manuscript on vellum, c.15,1 x 10,5 cm, [78] ff., ruled writing area, c. 9,2 x 6,5 cm, 17 ll., written in a gothic textura in black/brown and red ink.

18th-c. calf, covers with gilt ornamental border, gilt spine on 4 raised bands, a.e.g., marbl. endpapers (rubbed, esp. at joints, head def., gilding fading). In very good condition.

The border decoration and four full-page illustrations for the Suffragia are the only survivors of the illumination of this beautiful manuscript: St Catharina, St Barbara, St Sebastian and St Anthony; the borders are populated with deer, bears, apes, centaurs, lions, roosters fighting, various kinds of birds, incl. peacocks. In spite of the absence of a calendar, the litanies clearly point to Ghent, as shown by the presence of Bavo, Amelberga, Pharaildis ("Vereelt"), "Gheertruut" and Walburga ("Walburch"). The Ghent origin is confirmed by the style of the border decoration: acanthus leaves (in blue-silver with many-coloured variations) alternating with flowers and animals or grotesque motifs. They are similar to the marginal decoration of the miniatures of Lieven van Lathem and, in a later period, to that of the Master of the Flemish Boethius. Contents: Hours of the Cross, various Middle Dutch prayers (i.a. Pater Noster, Credo, Nunc dimittis, Magnificat), Office of the Holy Virgin, Mass for the Dead (with indulgences), Salve Regina "in dietsche", prayers for saints, Penitential Psalms, litanies, St Bernard’s Psalter. Decoration: gilt 2/4-line initials; large gilt 6-line initials with red and blue penwork; 4/8-line gilt initials along margin; blue and gilt line fillers. Ref. L’art ancien dans les Flandres (Région de l’Escaut). Catalogue (Ghent 1913), p. 213 no. 1438 (as “Heures de la Croix en flamand, XVIe siècle”). Prov. Pencil note on lower flyleaf "Rotterdam 3/1907" [Moerman collection, Brussels 1913]. - Pencil note on lower flyleaf "Exposition de Gand 1916 [recte 1913]". - [Georges Petit].