Très Riches Heures of duc de Berry
15th century manuscript on parchment. Made up of 206 leaves, each with two columns. 66 large and 65 small miniatures. Bound in red leather, with the arms of the Spinola and Serra families. The manuscript is kept in a box covered with an engraved silver plaque by Antoine Vechte (1799-1868).
The “Très Riches Heures of Duc de Berry” is reputed to be one of the finest manuscripts in the world. The culmination of over 80 years of work phased between 1412 and 1489, this book of hours was commissioned by Duke Jean I of Berry from the Limbourg brothers in the 15th century. It was acquired by the Duke of Aumale in 1856.