Large Gregorian chant with exceptional illuminated initials

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Original leaf from an Italian Antiphonal on animal parchment. The manuscript text and music (five lines of dark brown music and text on a red five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand nearly 500 years ago!!!  Exceptionally unusual massive size. (36 ½ x 24 ½’’ – 930 x 625mm).

Northwestern Italy (Milan?), c. 1500.

Three flamboyant illuminated initialsthe illuminated initial “A” (5 3/8 x 3 3/8’’) is in pink and white with the left side of the initial displaying a bird standing with his head on his breast, the top of the initial displays a whimsical creature resting on its back, and along the right side of the initial is an elegant floral design. This initial is on a deep blue ground with two roses placed in the interior and a burnished gold bar surrounding the initial.

The illumminated initial “L” is an example of a wonderful “puzzle initial” in deep blue with deep red cut-out designs along the left, and surrounded by an elaborate penwork design in blue and red with the border in an elegant knot-work design also in blue and red.

The illuminated initial “D” is also an intricate “puzzle initial” similar to the “L” in style but also extending into the lower margin in a delicate floral design.

The illuminated “A” begins “Alleluia”. The illuminated “L” begins Psalm 121 (King James 122) 1: “Latatus...” (I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord).

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.

Shipped unmatted

  • Inventory# M-8654
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