TEFAF has selected the Black Book of Hours, a rare 15th-century illuminated manuscript from the Hispanic Society Museum and Library in New York, as the recipient of its 2025 Museum Restoration Fund. The manuscript, one of only seven known black vellum books of hours, will be displayed at TEFAF New York at the Park Avenue Armory before undergoing conservation treatment by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia. The work involves disbinding the 149-folio volume, high-resolution imaging, and addressing centuries of wear.
The restoration matters because the Black Book of Hours is so fragile and valuable that the Hispanic Society has never permanently displayed it, limiting access to scholars and the public. The conservation will enable digital access to every page, making this rare devotional object available to researchers worldwide. It also highlights TEFAF's ongoing commitment to preserving cultural heritage through its Museum Restoration Fund, which supports conservation of significant works in public collections.