Original leaf from a manuscript 18th century Gregorian chant in two colors on fine hand made paper. (480 x 330mm - 19 x 13’’). Latin text with black square-note music on a red four-line stave.
From an Antiphonal produced at a religious commune in Olbia, Italy, c. 1778 (dated and signed elsewhere in the manuscript by the scribe “J. Coudounel”).
One elaborate illuminated ''B"' (3 3/4'' square) in red with gold interior and surrounded by black stars and eight semi spheres in gold or blue, all framed within a golden bar with black stars and blue spheres.
The leaf continues the Common of a Confessor. The large illuminated ''B'' begins: "Beatus vir...'' (Happy is the man who ponders the law of the Lord; his delight is constant day and night, and all that he does shall prosper. Happy is that saint, whose trust was in the Lord: he announced the decree of the Lord, he was set up on his holy mountain. You are my glory, you are a shield about me, Lord: you lift up my head, you answer me from your holy mountain).
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
