LES ENLUMINURES

PRESS RELEASE

TEFAF MAASTRICHT 2020 Saturday March 7 to Sunday March 15, 2020

STAND #276

MECC, Forum 100

6229 GV Maastricht

The Netherlands

Les Enluminures will be exhibiting a large variety of art works at this year's edition of TEFAF Maastricht, including illuminated manuscripts, manuscript leaves and cuttings, and medieval and Renaissance jewelry.

A special exhibition on the stand features sixteen remarkable jewels once worn by the elites of Europe. Accompanied by a catalogue "Living nobly" : Jewelry of the Renaissance Courts, the exhibition includes hat badges, neck­laces and chains, pendants, rings, and amulets.

There is for example a Saxon Ribbon Chain (FIG.1) that evokes the paintings by Lucas Cranach, a precious mother-of-pearl medal­lion of King Henry IV (FIG.2), and a gimmel ring, restituted to the Rothschild family following WWII (FIG.3). Many of these

jewels are well known, previously published and exhibited . Glittering with precious metals and gems, all the jewels in this collection

continue to reflect how the nobility of the Renaissance courts "lived nobly" while also resonating in new ways today.

In keeping with the theme of the most elite objects from Renaissance courts, a sumptuous royal Book of Hours, the Petites Heures of Charles VIII, is exhibited for the first time (FIG.4). One of only a few known manuscripts made for the king Charles VIII, it was

illuminated in Paris by the Master of the Chronique scandaleuse, regarded as the most innovative artist active in late fifteenth-century

Paris. It marks the dawn of a renewed trend for minute masterpieces of parchment made for members of the royal family and court.

Founded by Dr. Sandra Hindman nearly thirty years ago and with locations in Paris, Chicago, and New York, Les Enluminures has

forged long-standing relationships with major museums and prestigious private collections throughout the world . It exhibits at TEFAF

Maastricht, Masterpiece, Frieze Masters, and the Winter Show. The gallery is well-known for the level of its scholarship but also for

the diversity, high quality, and provenance of the works it offers for sale.

Sandra Hindman states: "We are delighted to be returning to TEFAF Maastricht, which remains the premier art and antiques show,

setting a standard unequaled the world over."

Please contact us for high resolution images and descriptions of the featured works of art.

PRESS CONTACT: info@lesenluminures.com

www.lesenluminures.com

LES ENLUMINURES

PRESS RELEASE

FIG.1 SAXON RIBBON CHAIN Silver gilt Germany, early 16th century

This massive, long ribbon-like chain consists of forty-six silver gilt oval links. These

chains are now astonishingly rare. As fashions changed, they were often melted

down and repurposed for new jewelry: the only other ribbon chain that has come to light is in the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich. Popular among the German

aristocracy, wealthy patricians, and the merchant classes, such necklaces are depict­ed frequently in paintings by German artists such as Lucas Cranach the Elder.

A scientific analysis of this necklace has proven that the metal used dates to the sixteenth century.

FIG.2 PENDANT WITH CAMEO OF KING HENRY IV OF FRANCE Mother of pearl, tortoise shell, silver gilt France, late 16th century; mount: probably 18th century

$165,000.00

In this shimmering mother of pearl pendant, King Henry IV of France (1553-161 0; r.

from 1589) is portrayed half-length in three quarter profile view. Engraved gems and

medals played a significant role in his artistic patronage. He is directly responsible for the nucleus of the royal collection of the Cabinet des medailles in Paris.

FIG.3 GIMMEL RING WITH RUBY AND DIAMOND Gold, ruby and diamond, blue, red and white enamel Western Europe, likely Germany, c. 1560-1580

$45,000.00

The most extraordinary story surrounding this ring is its own unique history. It once

belonged to the Baron Maurice de Rothschild (1881-1957), one of the richest men in

France. In 1940 when the Nazis occupied Paris, the art collection of Rothschild was

plundered, and the ring disappeared. From the Jeu de Paume in Paris to Lager Peter in Austria and finally to Munich this gimmel ring underwent a long and arduous jour­

ney. It was restituted to the Rothschild family after the war. It is incredible that it survives at all.

$275,000.00

www.lesenluminures.com

LES ENLUMINURES

PRESS RELEASE

FIG.4 THE PETITES HEURES OF CHARLES VIII, KING OF FRANCE (r. 1483-1498) (Use of Paris). In Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment. 1 full-page heraldic miniature, 12 full-page, and 10 small miniatures by the Master of the Chronique scandaleuse. France, Paris, c. 1490-1493 (before 1494) f. 42v, Annunciation, with a full border of crowned monograms "K" on France ancient on the facing recto

This minute masterpiece is one of five extant manuscript Books of Hours known to

have been made for the personal use of Charles VIII, King of France (r. 1483-1498),

and the sole to remain in private hands. The second tiniest Book of Hours ever made

for King Charles VIII, the Petites Heures of Charles VIII were illuminated in Paris by the

Master of the Chronique scandaleuse. The challenging size of the present manuscript

demonstrates his utmost mastery of color at a microscopic scale.

Price on request

Please contact us for high resolution images and descriptions of the featured works of art.

PARIS 1, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau

75001 Paris

France

PRESS CONTACT: info@lesenluminures.com

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