Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Choir (Ferial) Psalter on animal parchment. (550 x 380mm – 21 ¾ x 15 ¼’’)
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.
Three illuminated initials (3 x 2” and 3 x 2 ¼’’) alternating in blue with intricate red interior & exterior penwork, & red with violet interior & exterior penwork in geometric and floral design; two intricate knot-work (cadel) initials.
The large illuminated “D” begins Psalm 17 (King James 18) 3: “Dominus…” (The Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer).
The large illuminated “M” begins part of Matthew 26:12: “Mittens hec mulier…” (For by this woman pouring this ointment on my body, she has prepared for my burial).
The large illuminated “T” begins Psalm 17:28: “Tu populum…” (Thou wilt save the humble people).
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
