1525 Gregorian Chant - Spain - Elaborate initials

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Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment.  560 x 365mm – 22 x 14 3/8’’) 

The manuscript text and music (six lines of music on a red five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand dark brown ink nearly 500 years ago!!!  

Spain, c. 1525 –this leaf is from the Winter Volume (pars hiemalis) which comprised the Offices of Advent, Christmastide and Epiphany.

Two illuminated initials in red with violet interior and exterior penwork extending into margin with intricate flourishing; one illuminated blue initial with red interior and exterior penwork; One exceptional knot work (cadel) initial in dark brown ink heightened with yellow.

This leaf continues prayers for Post Epiphany.  The illuminated “D” begins : “Deduc me…” (Guide me in the path of your commands). 

The illuminated “S” begins: “Sana…” (Heal my soul for I have sinned against thee).

The knot-work “E” begins:  “Ego dixi…” (I said, Lord have mercy on me).

The illuminated “A” begins: “Adiuva me…” (Help me, O Lord, and I shall be saved).

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-11713
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