Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment. (560 x 365mm – 22 x 14 3/8’’) The manuscript text and music (six lines of music on a red five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand dark brown ink over 400 years ago!!!
Spain, c. 1525 –this leaf is from the Winter Volume (pars hiemalis) which comprised the Offices of Advent, Christmastide and Epiphany.
One illuminated initial in red with interior and exterior violet penwork – extending into the margin; three exceptional knot work (cadel) initials in dark brown ink heightened with yellow.
This leaf continues prayers for Post Epiphany. The illuminated “E” opens Psalm 80 (King James 81): “Exultate deo…” (Rejoice to God our helper).
The knot-work “T” begins part of Psalm 82 (KJ 83) 19: “Tu solus…” (Thou alone art the most High over all the earth).
The knot-work “B” begins: “Benedixisti…” (Lord, thou hast blessed thy land).
The knot-work “F” begins “Fundamenta…” (The foundations thereof are in the holy mountains).
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.
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
