[Prayer cards] Collection of 42 prayer cards

15th-19th century, 22x printed and handcoloured or drawn in gouache on vellum, otherwise printed or drawn on paper (3x with embroidery) and handcol. in gouache, the smallest measuring 4.5 x 6,5 or 6.5 x 4.5 cm, the largest 30 x 19.5 cm, loosely mounted on 4 stiff paper mounts.

A wonderful, very colourful collection with some unique examples. Comprises a.o.: (1) Prayer-card in the shape of a hand, 12 x 6.5 cm, 18th cent., verso and recto identical (obviously in mirror image), col. embroidery on paper, with manuscr. verse on both sides on the fingers and wrist: "Wilt altijdt peijsen op de doot het moet al sterven klijn en groet/ ons leven vloijt on leven spoyt met een gelijk zijn wij voorbij". (2) Prayer card depicting Madonna and Child within a Ghent-Bruges style border incorporating flowers, a strawberry and a butterfly, miniature in gouache and gold on vellum, 9.5 x 7 cm, 15th cent. Borders with rows of tiny holes from former old mounting. (3) "S. Joachim, Anna & Maria potens in terra erit semen eius." Gouache on vellum, 24.5 x 17.5 cm, 18th/19th cent. A brighly coloured work of art in its own right; (4) "Le monde m'est un purgatoire, et solitude un paradis". Gouache on vellum, 12 x 7 cm, 18th cent. (5) "En acceptant ces fleurs, vous possedez mon coeur." Gouache on vellum, 9 x 6,8 cm, 18th cent. (6-7). "S: Helena". "S: Barbara virgo & Martyr". Two large prayer cards, both ca. 30 x 20 cm, 18th cent., consisting of handcol., mounted cut-out portions of engravings, the clothing of the saints embroidered with silk and gold and silver threads, the collars and sleeve-ends adorned with lace. Furthermore, the collection comprises a gouache of S. Sabina on perforated paper, a series of 4 handcol. woodcuts above letterpress prayers on paper by L. Fruitiers (1713-1782, 2x) and Cornelis de Boudt (1660-1735, 2x) and handcol. prints (mostly on vellum) by a.o. Michiel Cabbaaij (4x), A.M. Bimel, L. Fruijtiers (3x), P. Clouet, J. de Man (a portrait of Kin Philip V of Spain), Io. van Sande (2x), Cornelis de Boudt and F. Bouttats. (8) Added: 3 loose other prayer cards (total 45).