Antiphonal Leaf

This is an original leaf, on animal vellum, from the Antiphonal of Marguerite De Bacval. Completed for her by Louis de Villechecq, Vicar of the nunnery and a Carthusian monk. Abbey of Mont de Ste.-Marie, Gosnay (South Flanders), 1539-42.The manuscript text and music (seven lines on a four line stave) were beautifully executed by hand in black ink with headings, rubrics and rulings in red. There is one large pink illuminated initial with an internal floral motif and on burnished gold ground. The two large intriguing calligraphic initials are colored with wash – one designed as a bird.The calligraphic S” begins Matthew 26:31-32: “Scriptum?” (It is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed. But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you in Galilee?). The illuminated “F” begins Isaiah 50:6: “Faciem meam?” (I have not turned away my face from them that rebuked me?).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.

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