Choir Psalter Leaf c 1520 - Elaborate initials - Isaiah

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Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Choir (Ferial) Psalter on animal parchment.  (550 x 380mm – 21 ¾ x 15 ¼’’)

Manuscript text with music (on a five-line stave) beautifully executed by hand over 450 years ago. Signed by the scribe “L. Ruiz” in one of the initials elsewhere in the parent manuscript!!!                     

Spain (Dominican Use), c. 1520.

One two-line illuminated initial (2 x 3’’) & one three-line illuminated initial (3 x 2’’) alternating in  blue with intricate red interior & exterior, & red with violet interior & exterior penwork in geometric & floral design; one intricate knot-work (cadel) initial; seven one-line illuminated initials alternating in red with violet internal & external penwork, & blue with red internal & external penwork.

The knot-work “D” opens Psalm 62 (King James 63) “Deus…” (O God, my God, to thee do I watch at break of day).

The two-line illuminated “C” begins Isaiah 12:1-6: “Confitebor…” (I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, for thou wast angry with me: thy wrath is turned away, & thou hast comforted me.  Behold, God is my savior, I will deal confidently, & will not fear: because the Lord is my strength, & my praise, & he is become my salvation…).

The three-line illuminated “C” repeats part of verse 1: “Conversus…” (Thy wrath is turned away, & thou hast comforted me).

The psalms were central to medieval liturgy, and constituted the core of the Divine Office.  In addition to the psalms, a ferial psalter, also known as a choir psalter, contained items of the Divine Office that did not change from day to day, often including the invitatories, antiphons, canticles, short responsories, hymns, and litanies.

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.

Shipped unmatted

  • Inventory# IM-12124
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