Original leaf from a medieval Antiphonal in manuscript calligraphy, on animal parchment. Eight lines of text and music written in black and red ink on a red four-line-stave. Dimensions of the leaf are 468 x 335mm – 18 ½ x 13 1/8’’
Italy, c. 1325.
One exceptional illuminated initial (2 ¼ x 1 7/8’’) embellished in pink and white with an internal floral motif in blue, gray, pink, and red on a taupe and blue ground with delicate white tracery. The six smaller illuminated initials are painted alternately in deep blue surrounded by intricate red penwork & red surrounded by intricate blue penwork. Beautifully executed nearly 700 years ago during the early 14th century!!!.
This leaf continues the Office for Palm Sunday. The Latin text begins: “[Circum]derunt me viri…” (Liars surrounded me; they scourged me without cause. But you, Lord, my defender, avenge me. In my distress, come close, there is none else to help but you).
The elaborate “D” begins: “Dominus deus…” (The Lord God helps me, therefore I have not been confounded. They compassed me, compassed me about; in the Lord’s name I shall be avenged on them. Take up my cause; defend me, for you are mighty, Lord. With the angels and the children may we be found faithful, acclaiming the conqueror of death, - Hosanna in the highest. Let those be put to shame who persecute me, but let me not be put to shame).
Antiphonals contain chants, often known as Gregorian 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
