Gregorian Chant with 3 wonderful initials - c 1500 - Italy

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Original leaf from an Italian Antiphonal on animal parchment. (690 x 494mm – 27 1/8 x 19 3/8’’) 

The manuscript text and music (five lines of dark brown music and text on a red four-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand over 500 years ago!!!            Italy, c. 1500.

Three flamboyant illuminated initialsthe initial “M” (3 5/8 x 4 1/8’’) is in a pink and green floral design with white penwork and an interior ground of blue with delicate white penwork – all resting on a burnished gold ground surrounded by a blue border.

The initial “Q” (3 ½ x 3 7/8’’) is blue is in a green, blue and pink floral design with white penwork and an interior ground of red with delicate white penwork – all resting on a burnished gold ground surrounded by a sepia border.

The initial “C” (3 ¾ x 3 3/8’’) is in a pink, green, red and orange floral design with white penwork and an interior ground of blue with delicate white penwork – all resting on a burnished gold ground surrounded by a blue border.

This leaf continues the Common of Apostles.  The illuminated “M” begins John 15:13:  “Maiorem caritatem…” (Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends).  

The illuminated “Q” begins part of John 8:12: “Qui sequitur…” (He that followeth me walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life saith the Lord).

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-11502
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