Psalterium Liturgical Psalter In Latin, illuminated... Lot 700

Psalterium [Liturgical Psalter] In Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment France, probably Paris, circa 1250-1260 (necessarily after 1228) With numerous ornate initials (bestiary, birds, grotesques) and endpapers in red, blue and gold ink (fish, grotesques) 225 ff, preceded by a parchment leaf, lacunar manuscript, missing a priori a minima 10 ff. between ff. 6-7, 36-37, 53-54, 71-72, 89-90, 111-112, 132-133, 155-156, 197-198, gap in the first leaf of each of the major textual divisions (Psalter divided into eight parts, introduced by Psalms 1, 26, 38, 52, 68, 80, 97, 110 [here lacunae] and a leaf introducing the Cantiques), also missing the end of the Psalms (absence of Psalm 150) [collation: i6, ii7 (-1, of 8, lacks i), iii8, iv7 (-1, of 8, lacks viii), v8, vi8, vii7 (-1, of 8, lacks i), viii8, ix7 (-1, of 8, lacks v), x8, xi7 (-1, of 8, lacks viii), xii8, xiii8, xiv8, xv6 (-2, of 8 ?missing i and ii), xvi8, xvii8, xviii7 (-1, of 8, missing vii), xix8, xx8, xxi7 (- 1, of 8, missing viii), xxii8, xxiii8, xxiv8, xxv8, xxvi8, xxvii7 (-1, of 8, missing iv), xxviii8, xxix8, xxx6, followed by 3 ff. parchment endpapers], gothic "formata" script in dark brown ink, waiting letters in the margins, gold or blue watermarked initials with watermarked decoration in red or blue ink, ornamented initials introducing each psalm change, gold, blue and red watermarked endlines with geometric or ornamental decoration, sometimes zoomorphic, extension of the last watermarked initial by a blue, red and gold watermarked decoration in the lower margin of each leaf. Missing as above. Some discharges of historiated initials missing. Some soiled leaves (ff. 50v, 51, 110v-111), otherwise good condition. Wooden aisle binding, without cover, spine with 6 exposed nerves, contemporary binding, countersleeves missing, gilt edges with traces of chasing (stain on upper board, wooden aisle rubbed). Binding dimensions: 200 x 135 mm; leaf dimensions: 190 x 125 mm. Typical of Parisian Gothic art circa 1250, this manuscript probably belongs to a small group of manuscripts copied and illuminated for princes and members of the high aristocracy. We don't know who commissioned this Psalter in the first place, and the search for the missing leaves may provide valuable information. With its careful layout, initials sometimes decorated with the most refined bestiary or volucary, and filigree line-ends (fish, grotesques), it comes close to the layout and quality of, for example, the Psalter of Blanche de Castille, circa 1225-1275 (Paris, BnF, Latin 10434) or the so-called Wenceslas Psalter (Los Angeles, Getty Museum (Ms. Ludwig VIII 4). By their very composition - calendar, psalms, canticles, litanies - these books were certainly intended primarily for prayer. Twenty-five psalms a day were recommended, with the exception of Saturday. With their clear layout and rich illustrations, they also served as a manual for teaching young members of the aristocracy how to read and learn Scripture. PROVENANCE 1. Manuscript copied and illuminated in Ile-de-France (Paris?), perhaps for use in a church with Berruyer or Berrichon (?) ties (presence of Saint William and Saint Stephen, including Inventio corporis sancti stephani, Vincent, Laurent, Eloi, Pantaleon, Agathe, in the calendar; saints Stephen, Laurent, Vincent and Agathe in the litanies (fol. 218)). Stylistically, this manuscript is similar to a small group of psalters copied and illuminated for royal circles. We are thinking in particular of the so-called Psalter of Saint Louis and Blanche de Castille, circa 1225-1235, illuminated by the "Master of Blanche de Castille's workshop" (Paris, Bibl. de l'Arsenal, MS 1186), but executed earlier than the present manuscript. Closer to us is the Psalter of Blanche de Castille, circa 1225-1275, (Paris, BnF, latin 10434: identified by M.-H. Tesnière as the Psalter cited under no. G 2090 among the jewels of King Charles V in 1380 at Saint-Germain-en-Laye) and the so-called Wenceslas Psalter, circa 1250-1260 (Los Angeles, Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig VIII 4). Further comparisons can be made with the following Psalters: New York, PML, MS 729, Psalter of Yolande de Soissons and Philadelphia, Free Library, Lewis E 185; Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum, ms. 300, Psalter of Isabelle de France, founder of Longchamp Abbey. A post quem dating is inferred by the presence of Saint Guillaume, bishop of Bourges in the calendar (January 10, blue ink). He died in 1209 and was canonized in 1218, just eight years after his death. His exemplary piety was recognized