Christmas Day - Gregorian Chant - c 1480 - Puzzle Initial

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Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment.  (585 X 420mm – 23 X 16 5/8’’) 

The manuscript text and music (six lines of music on a five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand over 500 years ago in the 15th century!!!            Spain, c. 1480.

One exceptional illuminated initial (145 x 165 mm – 5 ¾ x 6 1/8’’) in red and blue with an elaborate internal and external geometric "puzzle design" (in the Moorish influenced Mudejar style) in intricate red and blue penwork and extending beyond the initial into the margin in an elaborate floral design in blue and red.

“A pen with a long slit - half or three-quarters of an inch - was used for drawing these flourishes” (Reference: Mudejar Ornament in Manuscripts, by Frances Spalding, p. 4, Hispanic Society of America, 1953,).  Aside from the pen a sizable amount of talent was also required to produce this amazing fluid puzzle design!

The elaborate illuminated “P” begins the Office of Christmas Day – Isaiah 9:6: “Puer natus est…” (For unto us a Child is born, and a Son is given to us. and His Name shall be called, the Angel of Great Counsel).

 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 Divine Office: first vespers or the vigil of great feasts, matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers & compline.

Shipped unmatted

  • Inventory# IM-11781
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