Continuous Bifolium Leaves - 2 Leaves - 4 Pages!! (Each leaf: 555 x 385mm – 21 7/8 x 15 1/8'')
Original leaves from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment. 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.
Six illuminated initials in deep red.
This leaf continues the famous 4th century hymn of praise - the Te Deum: ''[Te Deum la]damus: Te dominum...'' ([O God we] praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee. To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers, all the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts! Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory. The glorious choir of the Apostles, the wonderful company of Prophets, the white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee. Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee: the Father of infinite Majesty).
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
