Original leaf from an Italian Antiphonal on animal parchment. (625 x 456mm – 24 ½ x 18’’) The manuscript text & music (five lines of music on a four-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand in brown ink on a red stave in large gothic rotunda hand. Italy, c. 1400
One large initial "D" (95 x 95mm – 3 ¾ 3 ¾’’) in red, green and orange with white tracery with an internal geometric design in deep blue and white and resting on a burnished gold ground. The initial extends into the margins in a floral design in red, green, blue with white tracery and burnished gold. The initial is in excellent condition with very minor flaking to the gold. The parchment is quite clean, but noticeably rippled. .
This leaf continues the celebration of Christmas Day. The illuminated “D” begins Psalm 2:7: “Dominus dixit ad me filius…” (The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee…).
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.
