{"product_id":"monumental-medieval-choirbook-leaf-on-vellum-italy-c-1475-1500","title":"Monumental Medieval Choirbook Leaf on Vellum Italy, c. 1475–1500","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis exceptional medieval manuscript leaf was handwritten on vellum during the late fifteenth century and formed part of a monumental choirbook used in the liturgical life of a church, monastery, or cathedral. Measuring an impressive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e30 x 22 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the leaf was designed to be read by an entire choir gathered around a lectern, allowing multiple singers to follow the music simultaneously during worship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe manuscript is written in Latin and features \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGregorian chant notation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in large black square neumes on four-line red staves. The text is executed in a bold Gothic liturgical hand and is enhanced with beautiful decorated initials painted in vibrant red and blue pigments with delicate floral ornamentation. These decorative elements are characteristic of high-quality Italian choirbooks produced during the final decades of the manuscript era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surviving text contains portions of liturgical chants celebrating Christ's redemption, including references to those \"redeemed by His blood\" (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003equos redemit sanguine suo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e). Such chants formed part of the Church's sung worship and reflect the rich musical and devotional traditions of the late Middle Ages.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike smaller devotional books intended for private reading, this leaf comes from a massive communal volume that would have occupied a prominent place within the church. Its extraordinary scale, vivid notation, and decorative initials provide a striking glimpse into the world of medieval sacred music before printed choirbooks became commonplace.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e c. 1475–1500\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Italy\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Genuine vellum (animal parchment)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Latin\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScript:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Gothic liturgical hand\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNotation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Gregorian chant in square notation\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecoration:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Painted red and blue initials with floral ornamentation\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 30 x 22 inches (76 x 56 cm)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Preserved with age-related wear consistent with centuries of ecclesiastical use. Minor creasing, staining, and edge wear are present and contribute to the manuscript's historical character.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition \u0026amp; Shipping Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis manuscript was acquired and shipped rolled inside a protective mailing tube. As a result, the vellum retains some curvature and does not currently lie completely flat on its own. The photographs were taken with books placed on the corners to gently hold the leaf open for display purposes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportantly, the corners themselves remain intact and are in relatively good condition, with no significant losses. The curvature is a result of long-term storage and shipping in a rolled state rather than damage to the manuscript.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor shipping, the manuscript will \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003edefault to being carefully rolled and shipped in a sturdy tube\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which is the safest and most economical shipping method for an item of this size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuyers who prefer the manuscript to be shipped flat should contact me prior to purchase for a custom shipping quote. Due to the leaf's large dimensions (approximately 30 x 22 inches), flat shipping will require specialized packaging and will be significantly more expensive than tube shipping.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease feel free to reach out with any questions regarding shipping options before purchase.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA remarkable survivor from the age of hand-produced books, this monumental choirbook leaf represents both the artistic beauty and living worship traditions of medieval Christianity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Divine Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59616479772753,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0669\/0059\/0673\/files\/Image-2026-06-05T113717.754.jpg?v=1780674110","url":"https:\/\/thedivinelibrarystore.com\/products\/monumental-medieval-choirbook-leaf-on-vellum-italy-c-1475-1500","provider":"The Divine Library","version":"1.0","type":"link"}