Original leaf from a Gradual hand-stenciled in red, yellow, green and black. Seven and eight lines in black and red ink with text and musical notation in black ink on a four-line stave, on hand-made paper.(586 X 443 MM – 23 1/8 X 17 3/8’’)
One large elaborate illuminated initial in red , yellow, orange and black with the title and decoration above in red, orange, yellow, green and black.
Scribed in the Abbey of Notre-Dame d’Oelenberg, France, 1846. This ancient abbey, founded in 1046, was re-inhabited in 1825 by Cistercian monks who returned from exile in Germany, known as “Trappists” (a cloistered order which followed strict observance to the rule of St. Benedict) . The monks started farming the land and though they encountered difficult times - famine in 1846, fires and epidemics - they nevertheless became prosperous. In addition to the farm and the mill, there was an extensive library, brewery, cheese factory, bakery & printing press.
The elaborate illuminated "R" begins an important chant, the introit for Easter Sunday: “Resurrexi…” (I arose, and am still with Thee, alleluia: Thou hast laid Thine hand upon me, alleluia: Thy knowledge is become wonderful, alleluia, alleluia. Thou hast searched me, and known me: Thou knowest my sitting down and my rising up.
This is a remarkable artifact, in excellent condition. It shows the tradition of monastic hand work and the use of four-line music staves for Gregorian Chant still being honored in the mid-nineteenth century. It is an unusual production – entirely done by hand, not in a printing press. The staves are hand ruled and penciled guidelines can still be seen on the text block. Lettering and designs are a combination of meticulously cut stenciled elements and freehand.
Shipped unmatted
