The Rothschild Prayerbook,
Illuminated manuscript Book of Hours on vellum, Ghent or Bruges, c.1505
250 leaves. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2013 UPDATE: IT MADE $13,605,000.
The Rothschild Prayerbook is to be the centrepiece of Christie’s Renaissance sale during Old Masters Week in New York next January. Arguably the finest illustrated manuscript in private hands it is expected to inspire fierce competition on January 29 and is estimated at $12-18 million. It set the world auction record for illuminated manuscripts nearly 15 years ago at Christie’s in London.
Made around 1505 for a member of the imperial court in the Netherlands the hand painted manuscript prayerbook – a Book of Hours – is one of the highest achievement of Flemish Renaissance painting. There are 150 pages with miniatures and borders of superlative quality. It is one of a number of luxurious manuscripts produced between 1490 and 1520 for an international clientele and members of the Habsburg Court in the Netherlands. It joined the Rothschild family collection in the 19th century and when last at auction is sold for $13,378,558.