c 1778 Gregorian Chant - Olbia, Italy - Four-line stave

$225.00

Original leaf from an 18th century Gregorian chant on fine hand made paper.(480 x 330mm - 19 x 13’’) 

Latin text with black square-note music on a red four-line stave. 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 large illuminated initial (4’’ square) in black with red outline surrounded by a floral design and two deer facing each other, and within a yellow border with red circles and black stars.

The leaf opens the Common for a Confessor Saint. The elaborate illuminated ''E'' begins: ''Ecce...'' (Behold a great priest who in his days pleased God. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Therefore by an oath the Lord made him to increase among his people...).

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

  • Inventory# IM-10575