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Copy from the Book of Hours made for the Duke of Bedford in Paris ca. 1423-1468

Facsimile
ca.1860-1865 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Henry Shaw was a prolific recorder of medieval artefacts. He was mainly interested in manuscripts (hand-written books). In 1864 he was asked to evaluate the V&A's collection of 'Illuminations'. He criticised the collection because he thought that German and Italian illumination of the later medieval period was over-represented. He suggested that the Museum should commission him to make copies rather than collect expensive originals. It could choose from a list of famous manuscripts that he would supply.

In 1866 the V&A spent nearly £100 acquiring facsimile copies of well-known manuscripts. They added a new dimension to the V&A collection, because they provided examples of such famous works as this 'Bedford Missal'. This is an icon of British history, with its portrait of the Duke of Bedford himself.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCopy from the <i>Book of Hours</i> made for the Duke of Bedford in Paris ca. 1423-1468 (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Water-based pigments, gilding and ink on parchment
Brief description
Copy by Henry Shaw from the Book of Hours made for the Duke of Bedford ('The Bedford Missal'), made in Paris ca 1423-1430; England; ca 1866-1868
Physical description
Copy from the Book of Hours made for the Duke of Bedford ('The Bedford Missal') made in Paris ca. 1423-1468
Dimensions
  • Height: 22.6cm
  • Width: 16.5cm
Style
Object history
Purchased on 23 May 1868 from Henry Shaw, together with 81 other 'specimen copies' by him. The 82 copies were purchased for a total of £800. They were numbered 5857 to 5938. This information comes from the Register of Drawings 1868 (5616 to 6795), p. 166.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Henry Shaw was a prolific recorder of medieval artefacts. He was mainly interested in manuscripts (hand-written books). In 1864 he was asked to evaluate the V&A's collection of 'Illuminations'. He criticised the collection because he thought that German and Italian illumination of the later medieval period was over-represented. He suggested that the Museum should commission him to make copies rather than collect expensive originals. It could choose from a list of famous manuscripts that he would supply.

In 1866 the V&A spent nearly £100 acquiring facsimile copies of well-known manuscripts. They added a new dimension to the V&A collection, because they provided examples of such famous works as this 'Bedford Missal'. This is an icon of British history, with its portrait of the Duke of Bedford himself.
Collection
Accession number
5892

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Record createdFebruary 27, 2004
Record URL
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