Original manuscript leaf from a Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment. The illumination, manuscript text and music (six lines of dark brown music on a red five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand nearly 500 years ago!!!
Size: 670 x 440mm – 26.25 x 17.25 inches
Spain, circa 1525-50.
One large illuminated initial "N" in red, and blue with an interior floral design in red and white framed within a violet and red decorative square; one large knot-work (cadel) initial.
The knot-work “B” (recto) begins: “Benedixisti domine…”Lord, thou hast blessed thy land: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob”. The illuminated “N” begins The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist – Luke 1:13 “Ne timeas…” (Fear not Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name [John]).
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
