Marian Antiphonal

Abstract

Handwritten antiphonal totally executed on vellum, most probably produced for use in a convent of Hieronymite nuns, under the advocation of Our Lady of the Snows (c 17th or 18th century). Text in 5 parts: (I) 48 folios, (II) 29 folios, (III) 29 folios, (IV) 3 folios, (V) 12 folios, some not numbered, containing the proper and ordinary chants asssociated with the different feasts of the Holy Virgin, including that of Our Lady of the Snows, and ending with the chants devoted to Saint Jerome. Decoration of capitals in red, blue and black. Rubricated throughout. Square musical notation on five line staves. Five parts leather bound, raised bands, remains of metallic closures, metallic rims, documentary rear pastedowns, re-backed. Text opens with a dedication: "Este libro dio al Convento, una Esclava de la Virgen Maria y pide humilmente a las Religiosas desta Casa, la encomienden a Dios" (A Virgen slave gave this book to the Convent, and she humbly asks the members of our Order to entrust her to God).