Gregorian Chant - Beautiful bird in margin

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Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment.  (555 x 385mm – 21 7/8 x 15 1/8'') 

The manuscript text and music (six lines of music on a five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand over 450 years ago!!!

Spain, c. 1550.  This Choirbook once belonged to the Convent of San Pedro Regalado de la Aguilera, and was likely scribed there.

One illuminated initial in blue with red penwork - which extends into the margin in the shape of a bird!

This leaf continues the Common of Many Martyrs  The illuminated ''A'' begins:  ''Absterget Deus...''  (God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of the saints: and henceforth there shall be no mourning nor crying nor pain anymore).

As is usual with Medieval and Renaissance parchment, the hair side of the leaf is darker than the flesh side, but may take ink somewhat better.  The differences in tone caused scribes to arrange their quires so that the hair side of one sheet faced the hair side of the next, and the flesh side faced the flesh side.

Antiphonals contain chants for the canonical hours of the Divine Office: first vespers or the vigil of great feasts, matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers and compline. 

Shipped unmatted

  • Inventory# IM-11090
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