[Antiphonal – medieval book of church music]

Large c.16th Spanish antiphonary manuscript in Latin on vellum, showcasing a plethora of intricate and expertly hand drawn calligraphy, ornate embellishments and scroll work, including a number of pure gold illuminated initials.

This impressive and early antiphonary contains 329 leaves of beautiful illuminated filigree in red, blue and mauve and includes a number of very elaborate initials. The lettering style is rounded Gothic textura. Evident throughout are marginal manuscript notes in Spanish. Based on the specific style of the illuminations with flourishes and the finely drawn initials, the colour palette (specifically the mauve), binding materials and construction which include strap-work metal corners, it is very similar to a number of examples held in the Library of Congress which are dated to the early 16th century.

Musical neumes (notation) are illustrated by black squares on five-line staves in red. Similar to most Gregorian chants, this antiphonary uses both C and F  clefs within the diatonic system.

In 1570, following the Council of Trent, the Roman antiphonary was declared universal.  This antiphonary is typical of the Catholic choir books made in the period in Spain. The antiphonary, or antiphonal book, formerly known as a Graduale, came into use in the early Middle Ages with the dual choir. It included the antiphons and antiphonal chants sung by cantor, congregation, and choir at Mass.