Bidspirit auction | [HISTORY] – Heraldic Splendor for

[HISTORY] – Heraldic Splendor for a Prince — The Armorial of Charles de Croy, Prince of Chimay - Manuscript on paper, French, 16th century. 4to (180 × 140 mm.) 56 leaves, foliated 1–55 (with fol. 2 repeated), plus a blank at beginning and end; complete.

A richly illuminated armorial containing 83 hand-colored coats of arms, generally one or two per page, each accompanied by explanatory notes in a typically French bâtarde script. Of particular interest is folio 21, where an intentionally cut-out shield, when overlaid upon the following leaf, completes the proper heraldic device — a rare and ingenious feature.

Bound in two reused parchment leaves, fashioned as a simple wrapper. The manuscript survives in excellent condition. The manuscript is preserved in a cloth box for optimal protection.

Text:
An armorial of Charles de Croy, Prince of Chimay.
Opening leaf: “Cy desoubz sont pourtraictz les armes de la descente dont est venu monseigneur Charles de Croy prince de Chimay…”

A remarkable and well-preserved heraldic manuscript, bearing witness to the noble lineage of one of the most prominent houses of the Low Countries.