Framed 16th Century Antiphonal Manuscript Leaf on Vellum - AS IS. The intricate silver-toned frame and rich red border surrounds the page, which uses the ancient notation system created before the establishment of the standardized scales. 

Condition: Large cursive writing at bottom of page and some fading, tearing, and bleaching. 

Overall Size: 29 1/2 x 23 1/4 in. 

Sight Size: 19 1/2 x 13 1/4 in. 

An antiphonary or antiphonal is one of the liturgical books intended for use “in choro” (the liturgical choir) and originally characterized by the assignment to it principally of the antiphons (short Christian ritualistic chants) used in various parts of the Latin liturgical rites. The first person traditionally considered to have revised and collected all the various texts and chants of the liturgy was Pope Gregory the Great, giving rise to the term “Gregorian Chant” that is still used over fourteen hundred years after this was completed. Medieval antiphonaries varied with regional liturgical tradition, so in 1570, following the Council of Trent, the Roman Rite antiphonary was declared universal. The Roman Antiphonary (Antiphonale Romanum) contains the chants for the canonical hours for the hours of Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline for every day of the year. The word comes from the Greek antiphonon, meaning “anthem.” Most antiphonaries were presented on vellum, sometimes in large scale illuminated manuscripts so multiple choir members could read it at once. They would also frequently be displayed for regular church-goers (and later tourists) to see as a symbol of devotion.

Large cursive writing at bottom of page and some fading, tearing, and bleaching. 

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