[Illuminated manuscript. by [MALLET, Sophie].

Illuminated manuscript on vellum, 18mo (104 × 80 mm), 17 leaves, each with decoration/text on each side. 2 full-page miniatures, 2 decorated section titles, one colophon piece, numerous 2- and 3-line initials, decorative line fillers, each page with borders on 3 sides, each page to different design scheme, text in differing styles (from a neat cursive to an imitation of gothic) script. Occasional marginal browning. Original cream morocco gilt, sides with black onlaid borders, pale blue silk endpapers, one embossed with the initials ‘JMN’, gilt edges. Contained in the original silk lined black morocco box with the initials repeated on the lid. Box a little scratched, the upper joint of the book very slightly tender. A beautiful survival.

A delightful, accomplished and idsiosyncratic illuminated manuscript in neo-gothic style by a French woman, one Sophie Mallet, probably as a wedding gift for a female friend or relation: Jeanne or ‘JMN’. The texts include familiar words of advice for a young wife, scriptural and otherwise, while a section titled ‘Vie du monde’ includes personal and original advice addressed to ‘ma Jeanne’. Among the texts are: ‘Qui trouvera une femme forte?...’ (Proverbs 31 [incorrectly given as Ecclesiasticus here], ‘Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies’); ‘Bienheureux les pauvres d’esprit...’ (Matthew 5, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven); ‘Faites comme les petits enfants qui de l’une des mains se tiennent à leur père’ (St Francis of Assisi, ‘Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me’), and there are excerpts from the Imitation of Christ and from St Bernard.

The real pleasure of the manuscript lies in its illumination, expertly done with unusual and quirky details. The borders include numerous recognisable birds, insects and flowers rendered in impressive detail. Colours are applied very skilfully as are metallic highlights, including burnished and liquid gold, often on raised or otherwise textured grounds. Best of all is the colophon or tailpiece, which includes an entwined pair of longtailed dragons looking more like dinosaurs than medieval beasts.