LANGUAGE: LATIN

DATE: 1435

PAGE Count: 317

REPRODUCTION DIMENSIONS: 11.75 X 8.75 IN

PRICE: $250

HISTORY/DESCRIPTION:

 THIS BOOK OF HOURS WAS WRITTEN AROUND 1435−36 IN THE WORKSHOP OF THE ROHAN MASTER IN PARIS FOR RENÉ OF ANJOU (1409−80), THE SECOND SON OF LOUIS II OF ANJOU. THE PORTRAITS OF LOUIS II AND RENÉ ARE TO BE FOUND ON FOLIOS 61 AND 81 RESPECTIVELY, ALONG WITH RENÉ’S COAT OF ARMS AND EMBLEMS. THESE ARE DEATH WEARING A CROWN, THE EAGLE HOLDING THE CROSS OF LORRAINE (IN REFERENCE TO HIS FIRST WIFE, ISABELLE OF LORRAINE, FROM WHOM HE INHERITED THE DUCHY IN 1431), AND THE SAIL IN THE WIND WITH THE MOTTO EN DIEU EN SOIT (ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL). THE PORTRAIT OF RENÉ OF ANJOU SUGGESTS THAT HE WAS A PRINCE DESIROUS OF DYNASTIC GLORY, A LOVER OF LUXURY, AND A PATRON WHO WAS SENSITIVE TO THE ART OF HIS TIME AND DRIVEN BY THE STRENGTH OF HIS DEVOTIONS. THE MASTER OF ROHAN (FLOURISHED 1410−40) IS KNOWN FOR A STYLE WHICH, COMPARED TO THE WORK OF HIS CONTEMPORARIES, IS MEMORABLY EXPRESSIVE. IT IS THOUGHT THAT HE BEGAN HIS CAREER IN CHAMPAGNE, WORKED FOR A TIME IN PARIS, AND LATER RETURNED TO CHAMPAGNE. SCHOLARS HAVE LINKED THE ROHAN HOURS WITH ANGERS AND THE ANGEVIN COURT.

REPRODUCTION DETAILS: THE HARDCOVER BOOKS ARE MADE WITH TWO PIECES OF REAL WOOD ON THE INSIDE. THE LEATHER IS A 4 OZ COWHIDE, FROM A SMALL SUPPLIER IN NEW YORK STATE. THE GLUE WE USE TO ATTACH THE LEATHER TO THE WOOD IS MADE AT OUR FACILITY, AND IS A PERIOD CORRECT WHEAT GLUE. ALONG THE SPINE, WE USE A MODERN PERFECT BINDING, WITH MODERN GLUE, TO MAKE THE BINDING LAST LONGER. WE ALSO ADD THREE LAYERS OF MULL CLOTH TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE PERFECT BINDING, DRYING IN BETWEEN EACH LAYER, A TRADITIONAL WAY TO MAKE THE BINDING STIFF, STRONG, AND RESILIENT.

NOTE: ALL OF OUR FACSIMILES ARE MADE TO ORDER. PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS FOR NOTIFICATION OF SHIPMENT.