An Elegant Tuscan Choir Book Leaf with a Fine White-Vine "H" from the First Half of the 12th Century

TEXT FROM THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS.

A (BISECTED) MEDIEVAL VELLUM MANUSCRIPT LEAF FROM A CHOIR BOOK IN LATIN, WITH A FINE ROMANESQUE INITIAL.

(Italy [probably Tuscany]: first half of 12th century). Each half approximately 134 x 198 mm. (5 1/4 x 8 3/4"). Single column, 13 lines of text with neumes, in a rounded proto-gothic hand.

Rubrics and clef line in red, two one-line initials in red, A THREE-LINE ROMANESQUE WHITE-VINE INITIAL (measuring 50 mm. tall) in a pale yellow wash, enclosing scrolling white-vines on a ground of green, blue, and red. Each half with a long closed tear (one marginal, the other touching text), the part with the initial trimmed at top (apparently cutting off all or part of a line), lower end of initial a little faded and slightly trimmed, the recto of the lower half rather faded (but text discernible with close observation), several small stains, a small hole, and other minor problems associated with being used as binding material; nevertheless, in presentable condition, with a once lovely and still pleasing initial.

The refined Romanesque white-vine initial here opens the responsory "Hodie dilectissimi omnium" ("Today, the most beloved of all") for the feast of All Saints. Composed of light color washes paired with a vibrant red, and featuring vines with acanthus-like curls, the initial is simple but very elegant. The leaf probably comes from an antiphonary or similar manuscript containing the music to be sung for Mass, with neumes organized around a single stave above each line of text. Unlike earlier notation, which functioned as more of an aide-mémoire for singers who had already memorized the melody, the notation here actually allows the singer to "read" the music: diastematic neumes show changes in melodic direction, and the stave (here labeled either "A," "C," or "F" clef for further clarity) indicates the relative pitch of each note. The upper half of a leaf from the same parent manuscript was sold at Van de Wiele Auctions on 9 March 2024 (lot 867), and was attributed to Tuscany based on the style its decoration, which, like our initial, included distinctive acanthus sprays, as well as muted washes of yellow, green, and blue. (ST20978)

Price: $6,500.00