"[Antiphonal Leaf]", Anon.

The origins of liturgical music traditionally date back to St. Gregory the Great (d. 604), who was inspired by the Holy Dove to record the principles of 'Gregorian' chant. The Gradual contained the musical parts of the Missal and was sung from the steps (gradus) of the altar. The Antiphoner contained the musical sections of the Breviary. These terms have become interchangeable in modern times. Because of their size and complexity, these manuscripts were still being handmade in the traditional way for centuries after the introduction of printing. They were boldly hand-written and illuminated on large sheets of sturdy vellum so that the entire choir could read from one book.

This is a very decorative vellum leaf from a Spanish antiphonary. It contains four-line music written in a fine hand with black and red ink with the recto decorated with a 2-staff initial painted with a flourishing flower.

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Condition: B

The notation on the verso is faded. The sheet is cockled and there is oxidation of the ink which has resulted in some cracks in the vellum