Beautifully engraved late seventeenth- or early eighteenth-century prayer book, fashioned as an abbreviated Book of Hours and dedicated to Louis, le Grand Dauphin of France (1661-1711). Elisabeth Senault (fl. late 17th century), daughter of the celebrated Parisian writing master, calligrapher, and engraver Louis Senault (1630-1680?), followed in her father's footsteps by producing finely engraved devotional books that emulate the appearance of illuminated manuscripts. Following his death in 1680, she continued this tradition for the French royal court.
This fully engraved work stands as a graceful testament to her skill. Each page is distinct, enclosed within a double-line border and ornamented with floral initials, birds, tiny insects, arabesques, and intricate flourishes. Every detail strives to preserve the atmosphere of a manuscript, even as the engravers burin replaces the scribes quill. Senault modelled the work on her father's celebrated Heures nouvelles, dedicated to Madame la Dauphine, while dedicating her own edition to Louis, le Grand Dauphin, thus continuing the Senault family's association with the French royal court.
This edition survives in two variants: the present copy bears the imprint "Chez De Hansy Libraire sur le Pont au Change à St. Nicolas", while another variant adds "Chez l'autheur et De Hansy." The present copy was bound by Charles Petit (19th century), successor to the celebrated Parisian binder René Simier (1772-1843), whose workshop served the French royal family. Petit continued the firm from 1847.
With the stamp of the bindery (Petit Succade Simier) on the verso of the first free flyleaf, the yellow oval bookplate of Jean T.F. ("Jean sen alla comme il etoit venu") mounted on the recto of the first free flyleaf. The leaves are slightly soiled. Otherwise in very good condition. Besterman, Old Art Books, p. 95; Fifty Women, Bridwell Library exhibition, 2013, online; Goldsmith (I, 1614); WorldCat 64123879 (7 copies); not in Bonacini; USTC.