Obituary of the Cluniac Priory of Mouthier-Haute-Pierre; in French and Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment

VISUALLY STRIKING MANUSCRIPT FROM A MEDIEVAL MONASTERY. In Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment, Eastern France, Franche-Comté (Mouthier-Haute-Pierre), c. 1400 (additions until 1688). Dimensions 302 x 214 mm., 63 folios, lacking 9 leaves, otherwise complete, written in brown ink in Gothic bookhand (textualis) in a single column on 25 lines, entries written in several different cursive hands in the 15th-17th centuries, large calligraphic initials in brown ink and yellow wash for each day in the calendar, 2-line initials alternating in red and blue, large blue KL initials in the calendar for each month. BINDING: Half-bound in the eighteenth century in brown calf, spine with six raised bands, gold-tooled with pomegranates, stars, foliage and fillets, title in gilt, covers with red decorated paper over pasteboards. TEXT: An obituary is a book that records the deaths and anniversary masses celebrated in a given monastic house. The Obituary of the Cluniac Priory of Mouthier-Haute-Pierre includes detailed obits provide a wealth of information spanning five centuries concerning the priors and monks, as well as local families who acted as benefactors. Especially interesting are the descriptions of works of art, ornaments, vestments, books, and building work gifted by these individuals. Obituaries are a type of manuscript seldom found on the market. PROVENANCE: The manuscript was made around 1400 at the Cluniac Priory of Mouthier-Haute-Pierre (Alta Petra), in the Doubs, Franche-Comté, based on the styles of the script and decoration; M. de Ranquet, Clermont-Ferrand, France ; in the 20th century, the manuscript belonged to the notary Paul Alamartine from Le Mayet-de-Montagne in the Allier; later in a Private Collection, France. CONDITION: stains and signs of frequent use, margins of ff. 15-16v, 18 smudged, some medieval repairs, slight wear on covers and spine, leaves cropped close to marginal inscriptions on some pages, but in overall very good condition. Full description and images available. (TM 1240)