Original leaf from a Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment. (510 x 373mm – 20 x 14.75’’)
The manuscript text & music (six lines of music on a five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand in dark brown ink on a red stave in large gothic hand. Spain (Seville), circa 1450.
Three intricate illuminated initials alternating in red and blue with elaborate internal and external geometric "puzzle design" (in the Moorish influenced Mudejar style) in intricate blue or blue penwork – two extending into the margin.
The illuminated “U” begins part of Matthew 18:20 “Ubi duo vel tres congregate…” (Where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them saith the Lord).
The illuminated “A” begins: “Audite…” (Hear and understand the traditions which the Lord hath given you).
Antiphonals contain chants for the canonical hours of the Divine Office: 1st vespers or vigil of great feasts, matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers & compline.
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
