Original leaf from a large manuscript Spanish Choir (Ferial) Psalter on animal parchment. (550 x 380mm – 21 ¾ x 15 ¼’’)
Eighteen lines of manuscript text 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’’) in red with intricate interior and exterior penwork in violet in geometric and floral design; eleven one-line illuminated initials alternating in red with violet internal & external penwork, & blue with red internal & external penwork.
The elaborate illuminated “D” begins the third Penitential Psalm - Psalm 37 (King James 38: 1-2: “Dominus…” (Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation; nor chastise me in thy wrath. For thy arrows are fastened in me: and thy hand hath been strong upon 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
