Original leaf from a rare and unusually small French medieval manuscript antiphonal executed c.1480-1500 on animal parchment. (France c. 1480-1500).
Size:160 x 118mm – 6 ¼ x 4 5/8 inches.
The manuscript text and music (five lines on a four line stave) were beautifully executed by hand in black ink with rubrics in red.
Small highly illuminated manuscript music was very uncommon and expensive, usually reserved for royalty, the very wealthy or members of religious orders from notable families.
This leaf continues the Feast of St. Martin of Tours - known as the “Apostle to Gaul”, which can be attested to by the number of towns and villages named after him.
The large illuminated “D” is painted in colors of blue, green, red and yellow with a bird wearing a crown draped along the top of the initial. The text begins “Dicebat dominus…” (While blessed Martin offered the sacraments, a globe of fire appeared above his head).
The illuminated “M” (verso) is painted in gold on a deep red ground. The text begins: “Martinus Abrahae sinu…” (Martin is believed to rejoice in the bosom of Abraham…).
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.
Shipped unmatted
