c 1400-40 Gregorian Chant - Elaborate initials

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Original leaf from a large manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment.  (670 x 473mm – 26.5 x 18.75 inches)

The manuscript text and music (five lines of music on a five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand nearly 600 years ago in the 15th century!!!  

Spain, circa 1400-1440.

Two exceptional illuminated initials (about 100 x 75mm – 4 x 3inches) in red and blue with an elaborate internal and external geometric "puzzle design" (in the Moorish influenced Mudejar style) in intricate red and blue penwork.

The elaborate illuminated “C” begins: “Conceptionem virginis…” (Let us celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary: let us adore her Son, Christ the Lord).

The elaborate illuminated “Q” signals the beginning of the 6th century hymn: “Quem terra pontus [aethera]” (The God whom Earth and Sea and Sky).

Antiphonals contain chants for the canonical hours of Divine Office: first vespers or the 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

  • Inventory# IM-12827
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