[Illuminated Manuscript] The Order of the administration of the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion

Full Calf. Very Good. N.d., mid-19th century. 4to. 24.5 by 19 cm. 172 pp. 20 full page illuminated decoration. 28 decorated capitals. Decorative letters and vignette illustrations throughout, although the decoration is concentrated near the front. While textually the manuscript is complete, the illuminator probably intended to carry forward his artistry but for whatever reason, didn't carry through fully with his objective. Still, the decoration that is contained herein is lushly beautiful and very well-executed. Birds of various sort were most definitely a favorite subject of the artist -- they abound in the margins. But other animals and human figures are just as precisely and elegantly done in the various vignettes where they appear. We would also note that this manuscript has a lovely relief binding, with a cross forming the centerpiece on the front cover, a kneeling woman with a cross on the rear, and elaborate rinceaux, beaded bands and vine florets forming the decoration around these centerpieces. The binding was the artistry of F. Leake & Co. of Regents Street. Condition: spine rebacked inconspicuously with a matching brown calf.