Have You Got £8m To Keep King's Book In UK?
A prayer book seen as a unique memento of the Renaissance period may have to leave the country unless a UK buyer can be found
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A jewel-encrusted prayer book has been sold to a foreign buyer - to the despair of art experts in the UK.
The Book of Hours was made in 1532 and once owned by Francois I, a key figure during the Renaissance period.
It has been kept in the UK for an undisclosed number of years but has now been bought by a foreign buyer for £8m.
However, culture minister Ed Vaizey has put a temporary export bar on the book in the hope that a UK buyer can be found.
Mr Vaizey said: "This exceptional book provides us with a rare glimpse into the royal courts of 16th century Renaissance France and is of outstanding scholarly value.
"I hope that this unique book remains in the UK for the public to enjoy."
The book is a Christian devotional item which is highly decorated with an enamelled gold metal cover studded with gems including rubies, turquoise and tourmaline.
Popular in the Middle Ages among the high born, it contains parchment painted with 20 religious images and prayers to be said throughout the day.
The paintings to illustrate the prayers were mostly completed by the "1520s hours workshop", which produced manuscripts for royal and aristocratic patrons.
The early 16th century French court period in which it was produced was known as a centre for art and learning.
The book is considered to be a unique memento of the Renaissance because of its rarity and the high quality of the painting.
Henry VIII was said to have owned very similar books, known only now through mentions in inventories.
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