A Gregorian Chant - Feast of St Francis of Assisi, c 1612

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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 illuminated initials in red; two elaborate knot-work (cadel) initials.

This leaf continues the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The knot-work “G” begins the Glory Be: “Gloria patri…” (Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen).

The illuminated “A” begins: “Alleluia”.  

The knot-work “F” begins:  “Franciscus pauper…” (Francis, poor and humble, enters rich into Heaven.  He is honored with celestial songs).  

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

  • Inventory# IM-11979
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