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IM-10134: (520 x.350) Original14^th century Antiphonal leaf in manuscript calligraphy, on animal parchment. Eight lines of text and music written in brown ink. The four-line-stave is in yellow, red and brown.  The illuminated initials are painted alternately in deep blue (with red tracery) & red (with blue tracery).  One exceptional   illuminated initial extending along the left and bottom margins in colors of deep blue, red, white, taupe, green, and white. Beautifully executed 600 years ago during the mid 14^th century!!!.

Italy (Bologna?), c. 1350-1400.

The elaborate initial "R" begins the first hymn at vespers on the Nativity - Christmas day:  "Rex..."  (The King of peace is magnified;  all the earth desires to see his face.  The King of peace is raised up over all the kings of the earth).

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.