Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment.(560 x 365mm – 22 x 14 3/8’’)
The manuscript text and music (six lines of music on a red five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand dark brown ink over 400 years ago!!!
Spain, c. 1525 –this leaf is from the Winter Volume (pars hiemalis) which comprised the Offices of Advent, Christmastide and Epiphany.
One illuminated initial in blue with red interior and exterior penwork. One exceptional knot-work (cadel) initial in dark brown ink heightened with yellow.
This leaf continues prayers for the Celebration of Christmas Day. The text continues Luke 2:14: “Deo et in terra…” (To God, and on earth peace to men of good will).
The knot-work “P” begins part of Isaiah 9:6: “Parvulus filius…” (To us a child, a son, is born this day, and he shall be called Mighty God, alleluia).
The illuminated “G” begins Luke 2:14: “Gloria…” (Glory to God in the highest…).
As is usual with Medieval and Renaissance parchment, the hair side of the leaf is darker than the flesh side, but may take ink somewhat better. The differences in tone caused scribes to arrange their quires so that the hair side of one sheet faced the hair side of the next, and the flesh side faced the flesh side.
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
