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IM-9734: (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 “C” 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; four 55mm square(2 1/8’’) illuminated initials alternating in red/blue with a blue/red floriated background. Italy c. 1400-50.

The large illuminated “C” begins the fourth century Nicene Creed:  “Credo...” (I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:  And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light...).  

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.