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Antiphoner of Benedictine use, Italy, probably Lombardy., [Circa 1460.]

 Item
Identifier: MS.25241

Scope and Contents

A large choirbook containing antiphons of the Sanctorale and the Commune Sanctorum. (i) Sanctorale from the Visitation (2 July) to St Clement (23 November)-front pastedown. It includes 'In festo sanctorum monachorum' (folio 71) and the Presentation of the Virgin (folio 75 verso). There is a lacuna between folios 78 and 79. (ii) Commune Sanctorum (folio 83 verso), including the dedication of a church. It ends with the rubric 'Commemorationes communes seu suffragia sanctorum' and the antiphon 'Beata mater et intacta virgo' (folio 102). Folio 102 verso blank. (iii) Sanctorale for the feasts of St Andrew (30 November) to Saints. Peter and Paul (29 June) (folio 103). The end is missing. It includes 'In solemnitate S.P.N. Benedicti' (folio 144).

Large decorated initials throughout. Some are red or blue on grounds of stylised foliage with penwork; others are painted on gold grounds with foliage extending into the margins. A few are in a different, possibly later, style. There are historiated initials of Christ teaching the disciples (folio 4), the birth of the Virgin (folio 36), the Presentation in the Temple (folio 128), St Elizabeth with St John the Baptist (folio 164 verso), Christ with St Peter (folio 172 verso), and others depicting saints and prophets. For an illustration of and note concerning the Presentation in the Temple, see ‘La miniatura italiana tra gotico e Rinascimento’, volume i, page 123. There are a number of erasures and corrections throughout.

Dates

  • Creation: [Circa 1460.]

Conditions Governing Access

Normal access conditions apply.

Conditions Governing Use

Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.

Extent

177 Leaves ; 610 x 450 millimetres.

Language of Materials

From the Series: Undetermined

Arrangement

177 folios. Many of the leaves are single folia. Collation: 1⁴ (1 is now the pastedown), 2⁶, 3², 4⁶, 5¹⁰, 6-7⁴, 8-9⁶, 10⁴, 11⁸, 12-14⁶, 15⁴, 16⁸ (-1, + 2 after 6), 17⁶, 18⁴, 19⁸(-8), 20¹² (-7, 8, 10, 12), 21⁴ (-4, + 1 before 1), 22¹² (-9 to 12), 23⁸ (-4, 8, + 1 after 5), 24¹² (-1 to 4), 25¹⁶ (-11 to 16), 26⁸ (-8), 27¹⁶ (-9, 10, 15, 16), 28⁶ (-6, + 1 before 1).

Custodial History

Formerly the property of Alessandro Castellani (sale in Rome, 29 March 1884, lot 839). Acquired by the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art, 1884. Contains the book-stamp of the 'Parrochia di S. Floriano Man[tuae)' and an inscription '31 Agosto 1868. F. Arieti Parro'. A similar stamp and inscription occur in Colchester and Essex Museum MS.221.32, a choirbook from the Benedictine Abbey of Polirone, near Mantua.

Bibliography

'La miniatura italiana tra gotico e Rinascimento' (Florence, 1985), edited by Emanuela Sesti.

Physical Description

Vellum. Bound in brown leather over wooden boards with metal edges, studs and bosses.

Repository Details

Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository

Contact:
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700