Bifolium and folio from a Holy Week antiphoner

F-7jh0

Evanston, IL, Northwestern University, Music Library, MSS 1600 (NW-L3-1)

General Information

Title Bifolium and folio from a Holy Week antiphoner
Shelfmarks Evanston, Northwestern University, Music Library, MSS 1600 (NW-L3-1)
Page/Folio Reference ff. 7r-v; f. 14r-v; f. LXXIIIr-v
Material Parchment
Date of Origin ca. 1400–1550
Script, Hands

Primary hand: earlier Gothic book hand, responsible for main body of text and notation. 

Secondary hand: likely 16th century, responsible for later foliation and/or additions.

General Remarks

The source consists of a bifolium (ff. 7, 14) and an isolated folio (f. LXXIII), fragmentary remains of a larger antiphoner. The chants correspond to Holy Week (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday), with responsories and antiphons for the Passiontide liturgy. Discrepant foliation and the presence of a later hand suggest reuse, rebinding, or partial survival from a dismantled codex.

Book Decoration and Musical Notation

Description

Alternating pen-flourished initials in red and blue marking major chant divisions. Simpler black ink initials used for psalm responses and minor entries. Rubrication throughout, with occasional red foliation (notably “LXXIII”) added by a later hand.

  • Musical Notation

    Black square notation on red five-line staves (pentagrams).