Livre de Prières Tissé d’après les enluminures des manuscrits du XIVe au XVIe siècle (Book of Prayers woven after illuminations in manuscripts of the fourteenth and fifteenth century); In Latin and French, illustrated book woven in silk.

BOOK OF PRAYERS WOVEN IN SILK ON A JACQUARD LOOM. In Latin and French, woven prayer book on silk, R. P. J. Hervier, designer; J. A. Henry, fabricator, for A. Roux, France, Lyon, c. 1886-1887. Dimensions 178 x 145 mm., 50 silk pages, complete, text in one or two columns, one half-page and three full-page illustrations and various styles of decorative borders and initials throughout on every page, woven entirely in silver-gray and black silk, with a greyish-silver texture to the cast, fore edges gilt. BINDING: Bound in dark blue panel gilt morocco by Marcelin Lortic of Paris, the covers with elaborate foliates, strapwork, fleurons, and friezes, inside with crimson morocco doublures, edges gilt with a knotted cord design, fold-ins gilt and stamped "M. Lortic" at front, with five raised bands, spine gilt stamped "Prières" in Gothic blackletter. 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), this uncommon example is distinguished by its rare woven monogram inside the escutcheon on the first unnumbered pages with the interlaced initials "MM," customized for an unidentified owner.; pencil inscription "G-1979" on back paper fly leaf. CONDITION: Two stains pp. 23-25, and with fine creasing to the edges of some pages, likely original to the time of binding, some abrasions to the left edge of the spine and some edges of lower board, otherwise in in very good condition. Full description and images available. (BOH-165).