Gregorian Chant - Elaborate initial - Italy c 1778

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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. (480 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. 1778 (dated and signed elsewhere in the manuscript by the scribe “J. Coudounel”).

One elaborate illuminated ''G'' (3 1/4'' square) in red surrounded by eight red semi-circles with a floral interior on deep green ground; the initial is surrounded with an elaborate black floral border on a gold ground.

 An elaborate title adornment consists of black stars and flowers on a golden ground surrounded by a cloud-like border.

The large illuminated ''G'' begins a hymn for the Common of many Martyrs:  "Gaudent in coelis...'' (The souls of the saints rejoice in heaven, they who have followed in the footsteps of Christ; and because they shed their blood for love of Him, they rejoice with Christ without end.).  The elaborate title decoration opens the Common of a Confessor.

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-11181
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