The " Petites Heures " of Charles VIII of France, Book of Hours (use of Paris); in Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment

BOOK DESCRIPTION: THE "PETITES HEURES" CHARLES VIII OF FRANCE; TINY BOOK OF HOURS FOR THE PERSONAL USE OF A KING. In Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment, France, Paris, c. 1490-1493 (before 1494). Dimensions 73 x 49 mm., 206 folios, complete, written in dark brown ink in a cursive gothic bookhand on 14 lines, burnished gold initials throughout, 5 large initials with scrolls extending into the margins, ONE HERALDIC MINIATURE, 10 SMALL MINIATURES, 12 FULL-PAGE MINIATURES. BINDING: refined 18th-century(?) paneled gold-tooled brown morocco, 19th-century clasps and catches. ILLUSTRATION: Illuminated by the Master of the Chronique scandaleuse, a masterful artist who often received prestigious commissions from King Charles VIII and other members of the royal family. The successful illuminations in this very tiny manuscript demonstrates the Master of the Chronique scandaleuse's utmost mastery of color at a microscopic scale. Characteristic of his palette is a preference for strong vibrant colors, as well as the abundant use of liquid gold for the depiction of drapery and scenic elements. PROVENANCE: Written and illuminated in Paris before 1494 for Charles VIII, King of France (r. 1483-1498). Unquestionable evidence of the personal use of the present manuscript by Charles VIII is provided by the ex-libris and motto "plus. quautre." followed by his name "charles. viiie." (f. 41v). The present manuscript included, only five manuscript Books of Hours are known to have been made for the personal use of King Charles VIII; Paris, Librairie Auguste Blaizot, 1967-1969 (catalogue 326, no. 1681; catalogue 331, no. 387); Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 4 décembre 2000 (collection Serrier), no. 25. CONDITION: occasional tiny chips in paint of the colored background at edges of miniatures frames, very faint offsetting from fictive golden frames onto facing rectos, slight scuffing at joints, otherwise in excellent condition. Full description and images available. (BOH 182)