Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Choir (Ferial) Psalter on animal parchment. (550 x 380mm – 21 ¾ x 15 ¼’’)
Eighteen lines of manuscript text with music (on a five-line stave) beautifully executed by hand over 450 years ago. Signed by the scribe “L. Ruiz” in one of the initials elsewhere in the parent manuscript!!!
Spain (Dominican Use), c. 1520.
One three-line illuminated initial (3 x 2’’) in red with intricate violet interior and exterior penwork in geometric and floral design; one intricate knot-work (cadel) initial; eight one-line illuminated initials alternating in red with violet internal & external penwork, & blue with red internal & external penwork.
The one-line illuminated “R” begins Psalm 50 (King James 51) 14-24: “Redde…” (Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee. ..).
The elaborate illuminated “M” is the musical opening for Psalm 50 (King James 51): “Miserere mei…” (Have mercy on me O God). The knot-work “I” is part of Psalm 5:2: “Intellige…” (Hear my cry O Lord).
The psalms were central to medieval liturgy, and constituted the core of the Divine Office. In addition to the psalms, a ferial psalter, also known as a choir psalter, contained items of the Divine Office that did not change from day to day, often including the invitatories, antiphons, canticles, short responsories, hymns, and litanies.
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
