This slim, luxury Rosary offers an intriguing mystery. With no clues as to its first owner, the stunning manuscript contains 11 full-page miniatures, 10 of which face a text page with a full border. However, the text remains unfinished. The miniatures feature scenes from the story of salvation, while the borders, completed mostly in the typical Flemish style, contain flowers, insects, birds, and other animals on liquid gold, executed in a trompe-l’œil style. The outstanding and mature quality of the illuminations within the book indicate that they were completed by Bening himself, late in his career, most likely in the 1530s.

To see the Warburg Rosarium and other splendid manuscripts in person, visit us at our stand E3 at Frieze Masters London, from 11-15 October at The Regent’s Park. We look forward to welcoming you at our stand!