Original leaf from a scarce Renaissance manuscript Gradual. (183 x 128mm 7 ¼ x 5 1/8’’)
The opening leaf states this was a “Gradual for the Carthusian Order.” France, c. 1550 – From the Royal Workshop of Henri II. Small highly illuminated manuscript music was very uncommon and expensive, usually reserved for royalty, the very wealthy or members of religious orders from notable families.
Eight lines in red ink with text and musical notation in black ink (on a four-line stave), on animal vellum. Headings, rubrics and ruling in red. Six illuminated initials and two illuminated paraphs in liquid gold over grounds of blue or red with gold tracery.
This leaf continues the Feast of St. Mark. The illuminated “A” begins “Alleluya”. The illuminated “C” begins Psalm 88 (King James 89) 6: “Confitebuntur…” (The heavens shall confess thy wonders, O Lord: and thy truth in the church of the saints). The next illuminated “C” repeats the verse.
The illuminated “L” begins Psalm 63 (KJ 64) 11: “Laetabitur…” (The just shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall hope in him: and all upright in heart shall be praised).
Graduals contain the musical chants for the proper of the Mass: introits, graduals, tracts, alleluia, offertory and communion verses, and sequences for special feasts. They may also include chants for the ordinary of the Mass: Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei and for the introductory ‘asperges’ rite.
A lovely and scarce leaf in a remarkably fine state of preservation.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
