Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment. (495 x 365mm – 19 ½ x 14 3/8’’)
The manuscript text and music (8 lines of music on a five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand over 500 years ago in the 15th century!!!
Spain, c. 1490-1500.
Exceptional illuminated initial "T" (50x50mm – 2 x 2’’) in red & blue with elaborate internal & external geometric "puzzle design" (in the Moorish influenced Mudejar style) in intricate red & violet penwork & extending into the margin with an elaborate floral design in red. There are also three other illuminated initials alternating in red with violet penwork, & blue with red penwork.
“A pen with a long slit - half or three-quarters of an inch - was used for drawing these flourishes” (Reference: Mudejar Ornament in Manuscripts, by Frances Spalding, p. 4, Hispanic Society of America, 1953,). Aside from the pen a sizable amount of talent was also required to produce this amazing fluid puzzle design!
The illuminated “B” begins Tobit 12:6: “Benedicimus…” (Bless the God of heaven; in the sight of all who live, we will praise Him: because he has shown us His mercy).
The elaborate “T” begins the segment for the Dedication of a Church: “Terribilis est…” (Awesome is this place: it is the house of [God]),
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 Divine Office: first vespers or the vigil of great feasts, matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers & compline.
Shipped unmatted
