Les Enluminures

the gallery handles rare illuminated manuscripts, Books of Hours, miniatures, and rings from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Paris - NYC - Chicago www.lesenluminures.com

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[ANONYMOUS], Les sept fruits de la tribulation; and [ANONYMOUS], Miroir d’or de l’ame pecheresse, French translation of JACOBUS DE GRUYTRODE (or JACOBUS DE JÜTERBORG), Speculum aureum animae peccatricis In French, illuminated manuscript on parchmentFrance, after 1482, c. 1490

For #WorldLionDay let’s rediscover this elegant manuscript containing two works of spiritual and moral edification in French translation, the former known in only five extant manuscript and still unedited, the latter apparently copied from an incunable edition of c. 1490. There is no modern critical edition of the second work, nor is there a complete census of existing manuscripts. The added heraldic composition facing the text is an interesting case of humanist personalization of an earlier manuscript by a member of the Grolée de Mévillon family, who repeated this practice in two other known vernacular manuscripts.

More on:  http://bit.ly/2aJNAFR

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A Legal Reference Book

and Its Female Audience?

New Text Manuscripts blog post now ONLINE! 

Emily Runde tells you more about a Legal Reference book and its plausible female audience. Check this out!  

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If you're registered to our newsletter you probably already know about that. If not, discover NOW our 12 NEW RINGS ONLINE on www.medieval-rings.com. Which of these 12 rings is our favorite? We already talked about some of them on instagram, and don't worry we'll share with you the other ones shortly! / Register to our newsletter on our website lesenluminures.com. #antiquejewelry #ancientrings #jewellery #history #ringsofinstagram #ringoftheday #fashion #vintage (à Les Enluminures)

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OBJECT OF THE MONTH: PROPHECIES OF THE POPES

 PSEUDO-JOACHIM OF FIORE

Vaticinia de summis pontificibus (Prophecies of the Popes) with MARTIN OF TROPPAU, Chronicon Summorum Pontificum In Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment Eastern France (perhaps Savoy, or North-West Italy), c. 1450

When faced with conflict and corruption medieval imaginations turned to the end of days. Such visions underlie the Vaticinia de summis pontificibus (Prophecies of the Last Popes), a sequence of prophecies at one time attributed to Joachim of Fiore, surviving in around one hundred manuscripts. A deluxe copy of this manuscript possibly from Savoy, c. 1450, is now on view at our New York gallery as part of or exhibition Medieval Medley: Celebrating 25 Years of Les Enluminures.  The Prophecies of the Last Popes is known by its beautiful and mysterious illuminations. Each prophecy consists of four elements: a cryptic allegorical text, an emblematic picture, a motto, and an attribution to one of the popes. In one case, the name of Pope Urban VI (1318-1339) is placed above the dragon-like Beast of the Apocalypse, where the author makes a damning association between Urban VI and the Antichrist, blaming Urban VI’s volatile temper for the conflict over the papacy while also warning of apocalyptic horrors if the Church was not reformed. With such predictions and disturbing images this manuscript and others like it were regarded as controversial and scandalous in the Middle Ages -- and proved extremely popular.

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Floating castles from the Schembart Book c. 1550-1600- A giant in a castle wielding infants and a castle inhabited by fools and foxes being attacked.

Happy Palace day!

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Les Enluminures is sponsoring a unique program that enables colleges, universities, and other educational institutions in North America and Canada to borrow a select group of diverse manuscripts da…

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Thanks Artdaily for this great article! 

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Last piece of our summer selection, this Ring with Ruby Cabochon. (Western Europe, probably England, late 13th-14th century) #gold with re-purposed ruby cabochon  In the Middle Ages stones such as #rubies #sapphires and #emeralds were considered to be most precious and of great value. They were sourced from countries in the Middle and Far East and traded within Europe through ports such as Venice and Genoa in Italy. It is therefore not unusual to find re-used gemstones even in magnificent reliquaries or other goldsmiths’ work. Such gemstones were spolia from earlier periods, mainly from Roman or Byzantine jewelry and often had the drill holes from a previous mounting; sometimes the channels remain visible. Here the goldsmith used his ingenuity by filling the hole with gold and making it an ornamental feature. Rings with similar designs can be found all over Western Europe, and it is thus difficult to determine the place of production. Rubies were thought to be beneficial for promoting health, but the ruby could also be given as a token of love.  If only such jewels could tell the stories of their owners! #antiquejewelry #ancientrings #jewellery #history #ringofinstagram #ringoftheday #fashion (à Les Enluminures)

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Joachim and Anne Meeting at the Golden Gate,“Guyenet-Lardanchet” Hours c.1460

More about this Book of hours on http://www.medievalbooksofhours.com/inventory/boh_114

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What july looks like according to the Montpenny Hours c.1490.

This striking Book of Hours contains miniatures by an accomplished and prolific artist named the Master of the Chronique scandaleuse after a manuscript he painted for Jean de Chabannes (Paris, BnF, MS Clairambaut 481). The miniatures are painted in vibrant colors with ample use of gold brush, with highly original geometric or foliate frames. The oeuvre of the Master of the Chronique scandaleuse still warrants study as well as his numerous collaborations with important artists such as the Master of Jacques de Besançon or Jean Pichore.

 Discover more on http://www.medievalbooksofhours.com/inventory/boh_102

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Next piece of our Summer selection this Medieval Ring with Sapphire Intaglio of an Orante. Western Europe, early 13th century and intaglio Byzantine or earlier. #gold #sapphire In the Middle Ages gemstone rings became popular by the twelfth century and the fashion continued well into the fourteenth century. Similar designs were found throughout Western Europe, and styles were international. The deep blue of the sapphire was associated with heaven and divinity; for this reason it was often worn by clerics, bishops and kings. One of the famous lapidaries, such as that by Marbodus, Bishop of Rennes (1067-1081) Liber Lapidum, describes the many magical and medical properties a sapphire could have for the wearer, anything from being good for headaches, ulcers, eyes, stammers also chastity, peace and reconciliation, and plenty more. The intaglio shows a figure, perhaps of the Virgin, standing under an arch with arms outstretched in the orante gesture, which refers to an early mode of prayer practiced by the first Christians.  Engraved intaglios in sapphire are rare. #ancientrings #antiquejewelry #jewellery #history #ringofinstagram #ringoftheday #fashion #style (à Les Enluminures)

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New piece of our summer selection to start the week-end! Renaissance Ring with Quatrefoil Bezel- Western Europe, late 16th century #gold #rock #crystal #enamel  A Renaissance ring with a diamond, a rock crystal, or even translucent glass was often given as a betrothal or wedding ring due to its symbolic meaning.  Love jewels were often set with diamonds to symbolize constancy and virtue, qualities associated with matrimony and a happy life of togetherness. The quatrefoil-shaped bezel evolved from the earlier cusped form, and it continued to be popular from the second half of the sixteenth century through to the early seventeenth century. It is often the detail of the ornament and the colors of the enamels which reveal a more precise date.  Because goldsmiths travelled through Europe, as did pattern books with printed designs, it is almost impossible to attribute the place of origin. This ring is also part of our selection for @masterpiecelondon, Stand A12. #mpl2016 #ancientrings #antiquejewelry #jewellery #history #ringofinstagram #ringofinstagram #fashion (à Masterpiece London)

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June 29 - Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. 

Book of Hours (Premonstratensian Use). In Latin and Dutch, illuminated manuscript on parchment. Southern Netherlands, probably Antwerp, c. 1420-1430. 

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A piece of our Summer selection is this BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURAL RING - Byzantine Empire, 7th-8th c. Rings belonging to the type of the “architectural ring” are characterized by a very highly projecting bezel forming an aedicule.  In the present example, the technique (openwork consisting of a large strand of wire and ornamental granulation) and the motif (especially the peltae) certainly confirm a Byzantine provenance.  Architectural rings were particularly popular during the 6th to the 9th century in Western Europe, especially Gaul, as well as in Byzantium, attesting to an exchange of artistic ideas and technical expertise. - This ring is part of our selection for @masterpiecelondon starting in a week!! #boothA12 #gold #mlp2016 #ancientrings #antiquejewelry #jewellery #history #ringofinstagram #ringoftheday #fashion   (à Les Enluminures)

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Our Illuminated manuscript of the month is about a 15th century Cristoforo Cortese's mass book and prayers...

In Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment Italy, northeastern (likely Venice?), c. 1420-30 1 miniature and 7 historiated initials by Cristoforo Cortese or his Workshop

This is an exceptionally charming manuscript, illuminated by one of the most important artists active in Venice in the fifteenth century, Cristoforo Cortese.  The historiated initials and borders are delightful, juxtaposing devotional images of saints with birds, dragons and other animals.  Pen initials on almost every page are of exceptional quality, many of them with birds, animals, and small figures.  Parallels for foliate details in the present borders appear in secular texts now in the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Venice (Cod. Lat. IX, 6, & VI, 160).  Our manuscript was once part of a larger ensemble.  We have identified the other portion of it, bound as an independent manuscript, as Harvard University, Houghton Library, MS Typ 180, which contains additional prayers and an Office of the Dead.  Details of the history of the two manuscripts suggest that they were already separated as early as 1789.  Our manuscript is by far the more important fragment, containing a large miniature as well as seven figural initials; the Harvard manuscript has only half as many folios (70) and just two historiated initials.

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This Byzantine wedding ring from Agrigento, Sicily was made in the 7th century AD. The ring, which was originally inlaid, shows Christ blessing the union of bride and groom. The inscription on the face, ‘OM(o)NYA’, means ‘Harmony’ or ‘Concord’ and the inscription around the hoop is a quote from the Bible (‘My peace I give to you’ – John 14:27). During the early Byzantine period, just like today, a ring was the object most closely associated with the marriage ritual. Romans and Byzantines believed that a special vein ran from the fourth (ring) finger directly to the heart. 

You can see this beautiful ring in our exhibition Sicily: culture and conquest, opening 21 April.

Sponsored by Julius Baer

In collaboration with Regione Siciliana

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Beautiful byzantine ring to discover at @britishmuseum's exhibition "Sicily: culture and conquest" !

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"Beer is made by men, wine by god"

(Martin Luther)

Want to know more about the history of #wine? Discover our new #textmanuscript blog post: "Beer is made by men, wine by god!"

This week’s post is dedicated to a unique, unpublished wine manuscript from the fifteenth century:  “the Statutes Regulating the Wine Trade and Transportation in Bologna.”