Gregorian Chant - Initial with leaping deer

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Original leaf from an 18th century Gregorian chant on fine hand made paper. Latin text with black square-note music on a red four-line stave. (485 x 330mm - 19 x 13’’) 

An unusual production – entirely done by hand, not in a printing press. The staves are hand ruled and penciled guidelines can still be seen on the text block. Lettering and designs are a combination of meticulously cut stenciled elements and freehand. 

From an Antiphonal produced at a religious commune in Olbia, Italy, c. 1776 (dated elsewhere in the manuscript).

One exceptional illuminated initial (3 1/2 x 3 14'’) surrounded by two leaping deer and a floral border!

This leaf continues prayers for Easter Sunday: ''Cum transisset...'' (When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome had bought sweet spices, That they might come and anoint Jesus, alleluia, alleluia. Now it was very early in the morning the First Day of the week, when they came thus to the sepulcher at the rising of the sun. That they might come and anoint Jesus, alleluia, alleluia. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost...).

The illuminated ''A'' begins: ''Angelus...'' (The Angel of the Lord descended [from heaven]).

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. They were used by priests, monks and nuns in churches and religious enclaves. The large size allowed them to be seen by multiple members of a choral section.

Shipped unmatted.

  • Inventory# IM-8624
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