Book of Hours (use of Rome); in Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on parchment

ILLUMINATED PRAYER BOOK MADE FOR A WOMAN AND DECORATED BY AN IMPORTANT FOLLOWER OF JEAN COLOMBE. In Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on parchment, France, Bourges, c. 1490-1500. Dimensions 135 x 90 mm., 166 folios, lacking 2 leaves, written in dark brown ink in a cursive gothic bookhand on 15 lines, 1- and 2- line initials, in-filled with gold leaves and flower throughout, 4 FULL-PAGE MINIATURES with architectural frames or frames embellished with jewels and pearls, inscribed with the incipit of the prayer in gold. BINDING: 18th-century brown sheepskin over pasteboard, spine with four raised bands. ILLUSTRATION: The four full-page miniatures are by the Master of Jean de Ferrières, a rare artist who enjoyed success at the Bourbon court in Moulins, and whose career certainly deserves further study. Enshrined within golden frames that simulate the metalwork of devotional altarpieces, these miniatures demonstrate an intimate understanding and singular interpretation of Jean Colombe's prolific production. PROVENENACE: Stylistic evidence indicates that the present manuscript was illuminated in Bourges, probably in the 1490s. The textual features of the manuscript confirm this location, and the fact that this was made for a woman (female form of the Obsecro te). An inscription was added on f. 163v in the early sixteenth century shortly after the completion of the Book of Hours: "Vostre tresobeissant et meilleur filz a jamais: Du Breul" [Your most obedient and best son forever: Du Breul]. This inscription was likely added by the son of the original owner of the manuscript, as a token of love and respect for his mother. He signs his name as Du Breul, which must have been his father's name as well. CONDITION: slight dampstaining to some opening pages, but with no damage to the text, faces of the miniature on f. 1 quite worn, slight stains on the frame of the miniature on f. 103, corners of binding worn, otherwise in good condition. Full description and images available. (BOH 193)