Woven Book of Hours; in Latin and French, illustrated book woven in silk by R. P. J. Hervier, designer; J. A. Henry, fabricator, for A. Roux

BOOK DESCRIPTION: BOOK OF PRAYERS WOVEN IN SILK ON A JACQUARD LOOM. In Latin and French, illustrated book woven in silk, R. P. J. Hervier, designer; J. A. Henry, fabricator, for A. Roux, France, Lyon, c. 1886-1887. Dimensions 174 x 144 mm., 58 silk pages, complete, text in one or two columns, one half-page and three full-page illustrations, various styles of decorative borders and initials on every page, woven entirely in silver-gray and black silk. BINDING: Bound in white morocco by Lesort of Paris, elaborately gilt with interlaced initials "HM" front and back, cream-colored silk doublures, gilt edges and fold-ins, five raised bands, spine stamped "heures" and "lesort," original blue calf presentation box lined in white silk. ILLUSTRATION: Every page of this book is surrounded by border decorations of a wide variety. The half- and full-page illustrations are designed after paintings by Fra Angelico, Fra Bartolomeo and Raphael, and other Renaissance masters. PROVENANCE: Woven in Lyon by the firm of J. A. Henry, c. 1886-1887. The front doublure is gilt stamped with initials and date May 1900, but there is no indication that the silk pages were woven at this relatively late date. The silver-grey hue of the silk more likely indicates that this example was woven in the late 1880s and was untouched until it was bound and customized later; monogram "HM" gilt stamped on covers; pencil inscription on unnumbered silk page: Marie José Seiler, Chexbres [Switzerland]. CONDITION: In very good condition. Full description and images available. (BOH 166)