Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment.(555 x 385mm – 21 7/8 x 15 1/8'')
The manuscript text and illuminated initials were beautifully executed by hand over 450 years ago!!!
Spain, c. 1550. This Choirbook once belonged to the Convent of San Pedro Regalado de la Aguilera, and was likely scribed there.
One illuminated initial in blue with intricate red penwork; one illuminated initial in red with delicate blue penwork.
This leaf continues the Response to the Common of Many Martyrs. Line two begins: ''Terra apparuit...'' (Dry land emerged, an unhindered way out of the Red Sea...).
The illuminated ''V'' begins ''Verbera carnificum...'' (The holy ones of God did not shrink from the scourges of the executioners but died for Christ's name, that they might become heirs in the house of the Lord. For the sake of God they let their bodies be tortured).
The illuminated ''T'' begins: "Tanquam aurum...'' (As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in their time there shall be respect had to them).
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
