1910 Rare Art Nouveau binding - French Medieval Revival Missal of Chivalry
Author: [Catholic Missal]. Illustrated by Marcel Pille and H. Bellery-Desfontaines.
Title: Missel Romain de la Chevalerie.
Publisher: Tours, Maison Alfred Mame et Fils, no date (1910).
Language: Text in French.
Size: 6 x 4.5 inches.
Pages: 421 pages.
Binding: Superb and near fine full brown morocco leather binding, richly tooled in gilt and blind with geometric diamond panels and intricate scrollwork corner designs. Spine gilt-lettered “Missel” with raised bands and decorative panels. (hinges fine - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. All edges gilt. A finely preserved and luxurious presentation binding.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing - as shown, gilt-embossed silk endpapers featuring medieval motifs and a personalized inscription dated 5 mai 1918 - as shown). Printed in red and black with illuminated-style initials and decorative borders.
Illustrations: Profusely illustrated, with striking full-page chromolithographic plates by Marcel Pille and exquisite text borders and designs by H. Bellery-Desfontaines, blending medieval revivalism with Art Nouveau sensibilities. (Complete).
The book: This Missel Romain de la Chevalerie is one of the most visually striking devotional works produced by the renowned publisher Maison Alfred Mame et Fils of Tours, noted for their sumptuous bindings and richly illustrated liturgical books. Aimed at evoking the grandeur of medieval chivalry, this edition integrates Roman Catholic liturgy with illustrations inspired by knightly ideals and the imagery of crusades, saints, and sacred traditions.
Its combination of liturgical utility and artistic presentation makes it both a devotional object and a collector’s treasure.
The illustrators: Marcel Pille (1871–1932) was a French illustrator celebrated for his historical and romantic illustrations, often infused with medieval themes.
Henri Bellery-Desfontaines (1867–1909), associated with the Art Nouveau movement, was renowned for his ornamental and decorative designs, which lend this missal a unique aesthetic balance between medieval revivalism and modernity.