Antoninus Florentinus, and others

195×135mm, manuscript on vellum, i+156+i leaves, COMPLETE, in 16 quires of 10 leaves, blanks ff.107–110 cancelled, catchwords and leaf signatures, 2 columns, 34 lines, c.125×90mm, flourished initials in red and blue, blank spaces for rubrics in quires i–iii and for decorated initials in quires iv–vi, contemporary Italian blind-tooled leather, rebacked and scuffed, the woven fabric straps of the two clasps missing

The condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

PROVENANCE

Institutionally owned by the Franciscan monastery of the Osservanza founded by San Bernardino (d.1450) just outside Siena, and lent to a series of friars: "Iste liber est loci sancti Bernardini extra Senas que(?) concessit frater Blasius …[written over erasure: Thuscie fratre Benedicto de Senis] sacerdotis [short erasure] que liber fuit olim fratris mariani de chiusdino" (f.160v); the text added a little later at the end makes frequent mention of friars and Clarissan nuns (e.g. "Item, concessit omnibus fratribus et sororibus sancte Clare… Item, quod omnes fratres et moniales sancte Clare…").

TEXT

Antoninus Florentinus (Antonino Pierozzi, 1389–1459), Confessionale, "Defecerunt scrutantes scrutinio ..." (f.1r), ending "... Explicit Interogatorium confessionale compillatum a fratre Antonio de Florentia ordinis predicatorum" (f.64r); an exposition on penance here attributed to Ambrose (f.64r); a form of absolution, and various short pieces including several in Italian (ff.75v, 91r, 92v–95r), e.g. ‘Interrogatione per quelli del 3o. ordine sancti Francisci. Quelli del terzo ordine se possono confessare …’ (f.94v); after a blank page a second section begins with an unidentified treatise on confession in 22 chapters, on subjects including the Seven Sacraments, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, alms, Jews, bigamy, etc.: ‘Me plerumque per karitatis actum circa ignorantium peccatorum confessionem cogitante …’ (f.111r); the final pages have a near-contemporary added list of concessions made to the Franciscans by Pope Sixus IV: ‘Item ad supplicationem fratris Cherubini de Spoleto …’ (f.160r–v).

The Confessionale is aimed to assist the confessor in practical and daily tasks regardless of social status, according to a long series of different ranks and professions, descending in status from princes and barons, judges, and lawyers, to scholars, doctors, pharmacists, merchants, craftsmen, inn-keepers, farmers, boys and girls.