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 nearly 500 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 red with violet penwork interior and exterior penwork extending into margin with intricate flourishing; three exceptional knot work (cadel) initials in dark brown ink heightened with yellow – one with a profile of a person singing.
This leaf continues prayers for Post Epiphany. The knot-work “P” begins: “Pes enim…” (My foot hath stood in the direct way: in the churches I will bless the Lord).
The illuminated “I” begins: “Inclinavit…” (He hath inclined his ear unto me).
The knot-work “C” contains the profile of a person singing part of Psalm 114 (King James 115) 1: “Credidi propter…” (I have believed, therefore have I spoken).
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
