155 - Middle Ages

Middle Ages Fragment of a graduale or antiphonary. 14 lines. One column. Latin manuscript on parchment. Gothic Textualis formata (Textura). Text area approx. 22.3 x 18 cm (26 x 20 cm). Germany or France, 14th/15th century (ca. 1400–1500). Framed under glass. ON PALEOGRAPHY: The calligraphic quality, featuring penangular curves (sharp angles) and straight lines, is characteristic of professional scriptoria. Other paleographically significant features include the numerous abbreviations and ligatures. Dots above the letters q, m, and n indicate omitted sounds or syllables, while superscript endings such as -us or -rum are common chancery conventions of the period. Regarding the CONTENT: Four-strophic neumes (square note heads) suggest a choral or gradual; the text could be psalm-like or antiphonal (“Nemo domini ne cum nic qui”—possibly “Non nobis Domine” from Ps 113, but with variations). The large initial “D” (presumably “Domine”), red incunabula, and floral ornaments serve a decorative-liturgical purpose. Regarding the INITIAL: Inside the “D” are diamond- and almond-shaped fields decorated with delicate dot and line patterns. Delicate, sweeping tendrils extend from the body of the letter, running down and up along the left margin. Small leaves and blossoms adorn the tendrils, some accented in red and blue, as is frequently found in late medieval book illumination. Fragment of a graduale or antiphonary. 14 lines. One column. Latin manuscript on parchment. Written in Gothic Textualis (Textura). Text area approx. 22.3 x 18 cm (26 x 20 cm). Germany or France, 14th/15th century (ca. 1400–1500). Framed under glass. ON PALEOGRAPHY: The calligraphic style, featuring penangular curves (sharp angles) and straight lines, is characteristic of professional scriptoria. Other paleographically significant features include the numerous abbreviations and ligatures. Dashes above the “q” or above the “m” and “n” indicate omitted sounds or syllables; superscript endings such as “-us” or “-rum” are common chancery conventions of the time. Regarding the CONTENT: Four-stanza neumes (square note heads) suggest a choral or gradual; the text could be psalm-like or antiphonal (“Nemo domini ne cum nic qui”—possibly “Non nobis Domine” from Psalm 113, but with variations). A large initial “D” (presumably “Domine”), red incunabula, and floral ornaments serve decorative-liturgical purposes. Regarding the INITIAL: Inside the D are diamond- and almond-shaped fields decorated with fine dot and line patterns. Fine, sweeping tendrils extend from the body of the letter, running down and up along the left margin. Small leaves and blossoms sit on the tendrils, some accented in red and blue, as is frequently found in late medieval book illumination. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union. This work is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints, and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.