Original leaf from an 18th century Gregorian chant on fine hand made paper. (480 x 330mm - 19 x 13’’)
Latin text with black square-note music on a red four-line stave. 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.
From an Antiphonal produced at a religious commune in Olbia, Italy, c. 1778 (dated and signed elsewhere in the manuscript by the scribe “J. Coudounel”).
One elaborate illuminated ''D"' (3 1/2'' square) in red with golden interior and surrounded by black stars and red flowers, all within a border of black flowers on golden ground.
The leaf continues the Office for the Dedication of a Church. The large illuminated ''D'' begins: "Domum...'' (Holiness is fitting to your house, O Lord. Until the end of time. My house shall be called a house of prayer, says the Lord. This is the house of the Lord, it is strongly built; it is well founded on firm rock...).
Antiphonals contain chants for the canonical hours of the Divine Office: first vespers or the vigil of great feasts, matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers and compline. They were used by priests, monks and nuns in churches and religious enclaves. The large size allowed them to be seen by multiple members of a choral section.
Generally nice condition with fres, bright colors. There is staining evident in the iner and lower margin, less obtrusive in hand than on the scan.
Shipped unmatted
