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IM-6527: (610x430mm) Original leaf from a 15^th century Gregorian chant. This musical sheet was executed in manuscript calligraphy on animal parchment. Music & text (six lines written in rounded gothic script) written in black ink, on a five-line-stave, with headings and rubrics in red.    Spain: Seville, c. 1460-90.

This striking leaf is related to a series of choirbooks attributed to the Master of the Cypresses who illuminated twenty Choirbooks that are preserved in the Cathedral of Seville. Once thought to be Pedro da Toledo, he is now believed to be Nicolas Gomez, active 1460-90.

One illuminated initial extends the length of the five-line stave and is in burnished gold on a ground of blue and red with a delicate floral motif, extending into the margin in an elegant rinceaux-style border of vines adorned with gold bezants! Three large calligraphic initials heightened with yellow.

The knot-work ''N ''begins Luke 2:29: ''Nunc...'' (Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace).  The illuminated ''E'' begins Psalm 43 (King James 44): 26: ''Exurge...'' (Arise, O Lord, help us & redeem us for thy name's sake). The knot-work ''D'' begins  Psalm 43 (KJ 44) 1: ''Deus auribus...'' (We have heard, O God, with our ears: Our fathers have declared to us). The knot-work ''G'' begins the Glory Be (Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit...).