Original leaf from a manuscript 18th century Gregorian chant in two colors on fine hand made paper. Latin text with black square-note music on a red four-line stave. (480 x 330mm - 19 x 13’’)
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 ''A"' (3 3/4'' square) in red surrounded by black stars and flowers and framed within two squares filled with black stars and red filled circles on a golden ground; one elaborate illuminated "D" ( 3 3/8'' square) in red with the interior having black flowers and exterior black stars all on a golden ground. The initial is then surrounded by a delicate black floral border.
The leaf continues the Common of a Confessor. The leaf begins: "Alleluia..." (Alleluia, alleluia. He clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit). The large illuminated "A" begins: "Amavit eum..." (The Lord loved him and adorned him. He clothed him with a robe of glory, and at the gates of paradise he crowned him).
The large illuminated "D" begins: "Dum esset..." (While he was supreme pontiff, he feared no earthly powers, but went his way in glory to the heavenly kingdom).
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
Shipped unmatted
