Antiphonarium

Bound elephant folio manuscript of Italian origin; probably Dominican. Contains the antiphons and responsories for Vespers and the night Office (Matins and Lauds) of the Saints from St. Peter Martyr, on April 29, to the Transfiguration, August 6. Following the Common for Apostles and Evangelists, and the Common for Martyrs, are the Propers for 17 feasts. Fuller description of the specific feast days is available in the inventory file. Content is in Latin.

Chronological arrangement according to the liturgical year. Original brass bosses with stamped religious symbols, on rebound leather covers. Large initial letters are in red, blue, or black; some are decorated with human faces. One large initial O, for a responsory in St. Peter Martyr's Matins, uses yellow and green in an ornate floral decoration. Gregorian chant notes are in black, with musical staves in red. An antiphonary is a book containing sacred vocal music, both the antiphons of the breviary, and the musical notes. An antiphon itself is a musical response, as in alternate chanting.