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IM-9733: (630x465mm) Original manuscript leaf from a early 15^th century Gradual.  Five lines of music on a four-line stave, written in liturgical gothic script on animal parchment. Interlinear musical notation is in dark brown on a red four-line stave. One 85 mm (3.25’’) square illuminated initial “S” in a floral motif and in colors of red, pink, blue, and green with white tracery on a heavily burnished gold ground; one unusual and elaborate knot-work initial decorated with a floral motif in red and green and on a golden ground; eight 55mm square(2 1/8’’) illuminated initials alternating in red/blue with a blue/red floriated background; one 35mm square (1.5’’) illuminated initial with a floral design and containing a human face! Italy,  c. 1400-50.

The large illuminated “S” begins the Sanctus:  “Sanctus...” (Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory). The illuminated “Q” concludes the Gloria (2^nd century hymn to the Trinity): “Quoniam...” (For Thou alone art the Holy One, Thou alone art the Lord, Thou alone art the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen).

Graduals contain the musical chants for the proper of the Mass: introits, graduals, tracts, alleluia, offertory and communion verses, and sequences for special feasts.  They may also include chants for the ordinary of the Mass:  kyrie, gloria, sanctus, agnus dei and for the introductory ‘asperges’ rite.