Livre de Mariage. The wedding ceremony and Mass for Cécile Baudrier and Maurice Poussilgue.
(Paris), Église Saint-Augustin, July 8, 1890. 5 x 6. 55 leaves embellished on the rectos + numerous blanks, all vellum, tipped to tabs. About half the leaves have offset onto the facing blank versos. These appear as shadows around the paintings; they range from pronounced to faint. Half the leaves have no shadows.
Bound by L. Loilsellier in brown morocco Jansenist, turn-ins gilt in several borders, leather hinges, silk moire endpapers, one with gilt monogram, all edges gilt, 2 ribbon place markers. Binding is signed also by the finisher, T. Leclerc. A padded silk-lined leather box (which is worn) kept the binding in fine condition. A richly ornamented and breathtakingly lovely marriage manuscript. Item #16284
Commissioned by Poussielgue-Rusand, the famous goldsmith of art nouveau ornaments and chalices for churches, for his son's wedding, this beautiful manuscript is styled after 15th c. French illuminated books of hours. The text of each leaf is in a different border--most with a gold ground, some with silver or colored grounds. The borders are historiated with all manner of plants, animals, birds (including a stork and a cockatiel), insects, even some grotesques and mythological creatures (griffins); there are musician angels, jousting knights, coats-of-arms, and a motto "en tout honneur redoute."
Text spoken by the priest is in black ink. The "stage directions" are in red. The cue for a congregational response is a blue "R." The scribe created a great variety of initial letters. The opening page has a painting of an impressive chateau, which must belong to one of the families.
The manuscript is a highly accomplished virtuoso performance created for a wealthy and important family. In this case, for the famous goldsmith of art nouveau gold and silver ornaments and chalices for churches, Poussielgue-Rusand and his son of the same name. In the monogram, two large linked Ps, superimposed on a large "M," each sprout a tiny "R." Works by Poussielgue-Rusand are in the Musée D'Orsay and other important collections. They are considered national treasures.
Price: $15,000.00