Original Antique Vellum Antiphonary Music Sheet, circa 16th Century, Item D, 68cm

Original Antique Vellum Antiphonary Music Sheet, circa 16th Century, Item D.

We have recently acquired a small collection of original vellum music notation
leaves known as antiphonary. These contain the musical score and latin chants
used in religious choral chanting in the Roman faith. This would include the
music known as Gregorian chants, which many people will be familiar with.

The sheets are of large size, enabling multiple choristers to view the music
at once and are in handwritten manuscript form on vellum, with decorated
initials.

They contain text in Latin and the 5 stave musical notation with square style
notes of the time.

Each sheet is a unique slice of history with its manuscript form providing a
unique document. All sheets are in double sided manuscript.

Exact age and origin is unknown, but circa 16th Century.

Provenance: Private Scottish collection.

Dimensions:

Each sheet is approximately 68cm high x 53cm wide (27 inches x 21 inches).

Item D:

Side 1 begins with a black latin text paragraph followed by a very attractive
initial letter 'S' followed by 4 lines of musical notation and black text
script. Verso, 2 lines of music continue followed by a substantial section of
text preceded with an attractive red initial character.

Postage:

Due to size, these will be delivered by courier - they will be gently rolled
so as not to cause any damage. Conventional Royal Mail postage would require
them to be rolled too tightly to fit size constraints.