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 one of the initials elsewhere in the parent manuscript!!!
Spain (Dominican Use), c. 1520.
One two-line illuminated initial (2 x 3’’) blue with red interior & exterior penwork in geometric & floral design; Ten one-line illuminated initials alternating in red with violet internal & external penwork, & blue with red internal & external penwork.
The one-line illuminated “N” begins Psalm 13 (King James 14) 4-7: “Nonne…” (Shall not all they know that work iniquity, who devour my people as they eat bread?...).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins Psalm 14 (King James 15) complete: “Domine…” (Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? Or who shall rest in thy holy hill? He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice: He that speaketh truth in this heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue: Nor hath done evil to his neighbor…
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
