In November, Christie’s hosts its Books & Manuscripts Private Sales Exhibition in Hong Kong, with an extraordinary illuminated manuscript starring alongside an exceptional array of rare books and manuscripts.
A remarkable work of majestic dimensions, with sumptuous illumination narrating the history of mankind from the Creation through the Roman Empire, the manuscript was made either for King Charles V or a member of his royal court. These textual and pictorial examples would have offered a superb vision of the great figures of the past – perfect for those in the royal circle of the Valois kings eager to affirm their own illustrious lineage by underscoring their ties to heroes of antiquity. It presents a collaboration between the scribe of the king, Raoulet d’Orleans, and two artists specially favoured by the king, the Master of the Coronation Book of Charles VI and one of his close collaborators. This is the most richly illuminated copy of the Histoire Ancienne in existence, with illustrations found nowhere else in the manuscript tradition. Of dazzling provenance, beginning in the royal circle and ending most recently in The J. Paul Getty Museum, the present manuscript offers a rare opportunity to acquire a secular artistic work created for someone highly placed in the French court.