The Urfé Psalter, a Book-Lover’s Illuminated Manuscript

Published on 21 May 2021, by Sophie Reyssat

Auction on 04 June 2021 - 14:00 (CEST) - Salle 2 - Hôtel Drouot - 75009

This rare humanist manuscript dating from the reign of French King François I features remarkably preserved illuminations depicting the life of David.

Paris, c. 1520-1530. Ferial psalter in French, illuminated manuscript on parchment... The Urfé Psalter, a Book-Lover’s Illuminated Manuscript

Paris, c. 1520-1530. Ferial psalter in French, illuminated manuscript on parchment with seven large miniatures by the artist designated as the "main executor of the Statutes of the Order of Saint Michael", close to the "Colaud group", sometimes called the "special associate of Étienne Colaud", 166 ff., complete, 19^th-century binding, 10 x 16 cm/3.94 x 6.30 in.
Estimate: €200,000/250,000

Our psalter takes us back to the reign of François I , a time when private devotional books became lavishly illuminated works of art. It is called a ferial psalter because the 150 psalms are spread out over seven daily readings so that each is recited once a week. The word ferial comes from the L ate Latin feria , which means “day of the week” . This liturgical object is the cornerstone of the divine office.…

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