Book of King Modus and Queen Ratio

Localisation :
Année de création :1486
Artiste :

Description

Incunable printed in Chambéry by Anthoine Neyret in 1486
French binding technique, 19th century, signed by Bauzonnet

This rare book is the first printed edition of the oldest treatise written in French on hunting.

Attributed to Henry de Ferrières, a Norman gentleman who composed it between 1354 and 1377, it contains a dialogue between King Modus (the Good manner) and various interlocutors on the life of animals and the manner in which they are hunted. Interspersed with this are chapters where Queen Ratio (Reason) gives a moral explanation on animals’ habits.

The edition is illustrated with wood engravings. The print characters imitate the handwriting used in manuscripts, many of which distributed this work.