Gregorian Chant - c 1550 Spain - Dedication of Church

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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 exceptional illuminated initial in blue with intricate red and blue penwork; one illuminated initial in blue with intricate red penwork and cadel (knot-work) design next to it; one illuminated initial in red with delicate blue penwork.

This leaf continues the Dedication of a Church.  The illuminated ''D'' begins part of Isaiah 56:7 and Luke 11:10: '' Domus mea...'' (My house shall be called a house of prayer says the Lord. There, everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knows it will be opened).

The illuminated ''L'' begins: ''Lapides...'' (All your walls are precious stones: and the towers of Jerusalem shall be build of jewels). The exceptional illuminated ''T'' opens  the famous Te Deum: (O God we praise thee).

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-11202
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