Gregorian Chant - c 1778 - Olbia, Italy Feasts of the BVM

$0.00

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 ''O'' (3 3/4'' square) in red surrounded by an elaborate floral border in red, green orange and yellow; recto has an intricate floral border along the lower margin in red.

The leaf continues the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The red "D" begins: "Dabit ei..." (Our Lord shall give unto him the seat of David his father, and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever. Behold the handmaid of our Lord, be it done to me according to thy word).

The illuminated "O" begins:  "O admirabile..." (O admirable exchange: the creator of human-kind, taking on a living body was worthy to be born of a virgin...).

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-11301
Sold Out