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 violet interior and exterior penwork extending into margin; one illuminated initial in blue with red interior and exterior penwork extending into margin; two exceptional knot work (cadel) initials in dark brown ink heightened with yellow.
This leaf continues prayers for the Celebration of Christmas Day. The text continues Luke 2:14: “Pax hominibus…” (On earth peace to men of good will).
The illuminated “V” begins part of John 1:14: “Verbum caro…” (And the Word was made flesh. Alleluia, alleluia).
The knot-work “E” continues John 1:14: “Et habitavit…” (And he lived among us, alleluia).
The illuminated “N” begins: “ Notum fecit…” (The Lord has made known, alleluia, alleluia…).
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
