This Book of Hours, of the Use of Rome, was likely made in Milan around 1520; its miniatures are typical of Milanese miniature painting of the third decade of the sixteenth century. The book begins with a calendar with includes Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan. There follow three full-page prefatory miniatures depicting an unidentified female martyr, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and the Virgin and Child respectively, prior the the Hours of the Virgin. The first page of the Hours of the Virgin (fol. 17r) is ornamented with a full foliate border and includes, in its lower margin, a cartouche with the Sforza "Biscione" (sinister) and De Raude/da Rho (dexter) coats of arms and lettering, somewhat damaged, which can be read as "Cornelia de Raude." Each Hour for the Hours of the Virgin and each subsequent textual section begins with a very fine historiated initial; these number thirteen in total. The final prayer, to Christ, is in Italian (fols. 122r-130v).
Support: Parchment; Extent: iii+133+ii; 146 x 108 mm bound to 153 x 112 mm; Foliation: Original foliation in red ink, top center recto; modern foliation in pencil, upper right recto; references in this entry are to the modern foliation in pencil; Collation: 1 (12), 2 (2), 3 (1, +1), 4 (1, +1), 5-17 (8), 18 (8, -2 -3), 19 (8, -8); Catchwords: Regular catchwords, bottom center, at: 24v, 32v, 40v, 48v, 56v, 64v, 72v, 80v, 96v, 104v, 112v
One column of seventeen lines, rubrication in red; written area: 91 x 70 mm
Gothic--rotunda
Three full-page miniatures, thirteen historiated initials; foliate border and coat of arms of De Raude/Sforza on fol. 17r
For a full list of Decorations in this manuscript please see the Content and Decorations section by clicking on the [i] button in the top left corner of the image viewer above.
Milan, Italy
Calendar appears to be of the Use of Milan (Saint Ambrose, December 7); circa 1520
Eighteenth-century calf, gilt, rebacked
Latin; Italian
Arms of original owner on fol. 17r are Sforza "Biscione" (sinister) and De Raude/da Rho (dexter) surrounded by inscription that can be read as "Cornelia de Raude," possibly a reference to Cornelia, illegitimate daughter of Ottaviano Riario (1479-1523), son of Caterina Sforza (tentative identification by Nicholas Herman); George T. Strong (no. 11, sale, New York, 1878, lot 819; his signature with date 1843 on recto of third front flyleaf; "num 2" and "819" on verson of same flyleaf; "G. T. S. no. 11" on fol. 1r); presented to the Free Library of Philadelphia in 1925 by Simon Gratz (stamp in gutter of fol. 2r)
Milan, Italy
Calendar appears to be of the Use of Milan (Saint Ambrose, December 7); circa 1520
Latin; Italian
Arms of original owner on fol. 17r are Sforza "Biscione"
This Book of Hours, of the Use of Rome, was likely made in Milan around 1520; its miniatures are typical of Milanese miniature painting of the third decade of the sixteenth century. The book begins with a calendar with includes Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan. There follow three full-page prefatory miniatures depicting an unidentified female martyr, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and the Virgin and Child respectively, prior the the Hours of the Virgin. The first page of the Hours of the Virgin (fol. 17r) is ornamented with a full foliate border and includes, in its lower margin, a cartouche with the Sforza "Biscione" (sinister) and De Raude/da Rho (dexter) coats of arms and lettering, somewhat damaged, which can be read as "Cornelia de Raude." Each Hour for the Hours of the Virgin and each subsequent textual section begins with a very fine historiated initial; these number thirteen in total. The final prayer, to Christ, is in Italian (fols. 122r-130v).
Gothic--rotunda
Three full-page miniatures, thirteen historiated initials; foliate border and coat of arms of De Raude/Sforza on fol. 17r
For a full list of Decorations in this manuscript please see the Content and Decorations section by clicking on the [i] button in the top left corner of the image viewer above.
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