Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment. (555 x 385mm – 21 7/8 x 15 1/8'')
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.
One illuminated initial in red with blue penwork; one illuminated initial in blue with red penwork; two elaborate cadel (knot-work) initials.
This leaf continues the Common of a Virgin. The illuminated ''V'' begins the hymn Virginis Proles: ''Virginis...'' (Son of a virgin, Maker of your mother...).
The illuminated ''O'' begins: ''O quam...'' (Better to have no children yet to have virtue. ). The knot-work ''A'' begins: ''Ante torum...'' (Sing for us again and again before this maiden's bed the sweet-sounding songs of the drama).
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
