Original continuous bifolium leaves (two leaves – four pages) from a large manuscript Spanish Gradual on animal parchment. (Each Leaf: 533 x 370mm – 21 x 14.5”)
The manuscript text and music (5 lines of music on a five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand over 500 years ago in the 15th century
Spain, c. 1475-1500.
This is the center pair of leaves from a quire, thus the text is continuous and can be read starting from the recto of the first leaf to the verso, then to the recto of the second leaf and finally to its verso. Scarce, that can only happen on the center bifolium. The two joined leaves impart the feeling and appearance of an open medieval book !
Two elegant puzzle initials in red & blue with elaborate internal & external geometric "puzzle design" (in the Moorish influenced Mudejar style) in intricate red & violet penwork; ten elaborate knot-work (cadel) initials heightened with yellow - eight have intricate internal design in violet.
“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 knot-work “S” continues the Sanctus – a part of the Mass from the first century AD: “Sanctus…” (Holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest).
The elaborate illuminated “A” begins the “Agnus Dei…” (Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us…).
The elaborate illuminated “K” begins the Kyrie: “Kyrie leyson…” (Lord have mercy). The knot-work “X” continues “Xpriste leyson” (Christ have mercy…).
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.
Graduals contain the musical chants for the proper of the Mass: introits, graduals, tracts, alleluia, offertory and communion verses, and sequences for special feasts. They may also include chants for the ordinary of the Mass: Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and for the introductory ‘asperges’ rite.
Shipped unmatted
