Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment. (600 x 400mm – 23 ¾ x 15 ¾’’) The manuscript text and music (seven lines of music on a red five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand in black ink; with rubrics in red over 400 years ago!!!
Seville, 1612 - Signed and dated by the scribe on the frontis “Simon Rodriguez Caravallo…en la ciudad de Sevilla, Anno domine 1612”.
One exceptional illuminated initial (147 x 147 mm – 5 ¾ x 5 3/4’’) in red and blue with an elaborate internal and external floral "puzzle design" (in the Moorish influenced Mudejar style) in intricate red, violet and blue penwork.
“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!
This leaf opens the Office of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The elaborate “S” begins the hymn: “Salve sancta parens…” (Hail, holy Mother, thou who didst bring forth the King who rules heaven and earth…).
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. This leaf is in nice condition for its age, showing the customary signs of use.
Shipped unmatted
