Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment. (670 x 473mm – 26.5 x 18.75’’)
The manuscript text and music (five lines of music on a five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand nearly 600 years ago in the 15th century!!!
Spain, circa 1400-1440.
Two exceptional illuminated initials (about 100 x 65mm – 4 x 2 5/8 ) in red and blue with an elaborate internal and external geometric "puzzle design" (in the Moorish influenced Mudejar style) in intricate red and blue penwork. One elaborate knot-work (cadel) initial in dark brown heightened with yellow.
The elaborate knot-work “G” begins: “Gloria…” (Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The elaborate illuminated “T” signals the reader to recite the popular hymn of praise – the Te Deum.
The elaborate illuminated “M” begins “Missus est Gabriel…” (The Angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary).
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.
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
