(375 x 285mm – 14 x 11.25’’) Original leaf from an Italian Antiphonal on animal parchment. The manuscript text & music (eight lines of music on a four-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand in brown ink on a red stave in large gothic textura rotunda script. Parchment added long ago to strengthen lower right margin.
One large illuminated initial in red surrounded by blue and red penwork with an internal design in deep blue and red. Six illuminated initials alternating in deep blue with red penwork and red with blue penwork.
Italy, c. 1400.
This leaf begins the Gregorian chant for the celebration of The Epiphany of Our Lord. The elaborate illuminated “E” begins “Ecce advenit…” (Behold the Lord the Ruler is come: and the Kingdom is in His Hand, and power, and dominion. Give to the king Thy judgment, O God: and to the king's Son Thy justice… All they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense and showing forth praise to the Lord…).
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
