Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Choir (Ferial) Psalter on animal parchment. (550 x 380mm – 21 ¾ x 15 ¼’’)
Manuscript text beautifully executed by hand over 450 years ago. Signed by the scribe “L. Ruiz” in an initial on this leaf of the manuscript!!!
Spain (Dominican Use), c. 1520.
One two-line illuminated initial (2 x 3’’) in red with violet interior & exterior penwork in geometric & floral design - with the name of the scribe; eleven one-line illuminated initials alternating in red with violet internal & external penwork, & blue with red internal & external penwork.
The one-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 5:9-13: “Domine deduc…” (Conduct me, O Lord, in thy justice: because of my enemies, direct my way in thy sight…).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 6: 1-6: “Domine ne in furore…” (O Lord, rebuke me not in thy indignation, nor chastise me in thy wrath. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled…).
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
