Foliation: i-vi (parchment of c.1840) +125 + vii-viii (as ff. i-vi) ff.
An illuminated Book of Hours made for Louis Jules Gallois, Comte de Naives, and originally intended for his wife, Adèle
Includes an account of the book's manufacture, from 1828 when it was ordered to 1843 when it was taken to Rome and blessed by Pope Gregory XVI; it was said to have taken 22 painters 14 years to complete, while 1 scribe took 10 years to write out the text (folios 2-3v).
Completed by 1839-1842 (title page (folio 5) is dated 1840) with folios 2-3v added in 1850.
Most pages have decorated margins illuminated in late medieval styles. A number of miniatures are signed by Charles Leblanc and Auguste Ledoux and dated between 1839 and 1841. The calender (folios 6v-12) is decorated with the labours of the months and other scenes. Some of the decoration, and the portrait of a woman kneeling in prayer (folio 13) is taken from the early 16th century Hours of Anne de Bretagne (Paris, Bibl. Nat., MS Latin 9474) as is the prayer on folios 12v-13v.
Binding signed "[Alphonse] Simier, R. du Roi. 1842". Covers and spine in enamelled gilt with precious stones and pearls, enamelled arms of Gallois and Lecamus, enamelled medallion of the Virgin Mary and the Christ child on the rear cover, angels, God the Father and the Lamb of God with seven seals, with a saphire brooch in the shape of the Cross, on the front cover, signed by François Mellerio and dated 1840 ("MDCCXL. Mellerio dits Meller, Bijoutiers de S.M. La reine des Français").