Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment. (580 x 390mm – 23 x 15 ¼ inches).
The elaborate initial, manuscript text and music (five lines of dark brown music on a red five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand over 400 years ago!!!
Spain, c. 1600.
The wonderful large cadel (knot-work) initial “A” (recto) contains a whimsical drollery and floral penwork. The text announces the beginning of Vespers. At the top of the leaf is a later dedication inscription dated 1724.
Verso contains a beautiful large illuminated initial "H" (6.5 x 5 inches) in red, white and blue resting on a sepia floral background and surrounded by a geometric design in red and sepia; the initial extends into the margin with a blue floral design.
The text begins John 15:12: “Hoc est…” (This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you).
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 the Divine Office: first vespers or the vigil of great feasts, matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers and compline.
A finely executed leaf with obvious devotional wear, particularly to the recto, and with apparent mounting residue.
Shipped unmatted.
