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Similar Black books of hours, Black Hours - MS M493, Book of hours | ||
Horae Beatae Marie Secundum usum curie romane is a Black Book of Hours made around 1458, currently in the collection of the Hispanic Society of America, and housed in their museum.
Contents
Description
The book is an illuminated manuscript on black parchment, and comprises 152 folios. It is 14.7 x 10.1 cm.
The manuscript has space on the page facing the start of each office for a miniature. The inclusion of St. Vincent Ferrer who was canonized in 1455 gives us a terminus post quem. One of the folios pictured, Folio 13r, bears the coat of arms of Castile (believed to be that of Maria of Castile).
Purpose and creation
The calendar is appropriate for the Crown of Aragon, and it has been suggested it was a gift, on her bereavement, to Maria of Castile, queen of Alfonso V of Aragon who died in Valencia in 1458. The black parchment and her coat of arms, no longer blazoned with that of Aragon support this theory.