Original manuscript leaf from an Italian Antiphonal. Eight lines of text & music beautifully executed by hand on animal parchment in dark brown ink; headings, rubrics & rulings in red. (465 x 345mm – 18 ¼ x 13 5/8’’)
The musical notes are in black on a red four-line stave.
One exceptional illuminated initial (95 x 110mm – 3 ¾ x 4 ¼’’) in light pink with an internal floral design in orange, blue, gray & white on a ground of deep blue & extending into the margin with gray leaves. Three large illuminated initials alternating in red with delicate blue penwork & deep blue with delicate red penwork. Executed over 600 years ago in the 14th century!!
Italy, c. 1375-1400.
This leaf continues the Nocturn of Matins for the Feast of St. Agnes (January 21) – patron saint of betrothed couples and gardeners.
The illuminated “D” begins: “Discede…” (Depart from me, thou food of crime, thou bait of death; for I am already bound by another lover). The next illuminated “D” begins: “Dexteram…” (He has encircled my right hand and my neck with precious stones…). The illuminated “P” begins: “Posuit…” (He set his seal upon my face…).
The elaborate “D” begins: "Diem festum sacratissime…" (Let us celebrate the feast of a most saintly virgin, calling to mind how blessed Agnes suffered…).
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 Divine Office: first vespers or the vigil of great feasts, matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers & compline.
Shipped unmatted
