[Chant]. 14th Century Illuminated Chant Leaf on Vellum. A nicely illuminated page from a 14th century gradual, a book of chants for the mass. Red, blue and black ink on vellum, using five-line staves. One page, both sides. 25 X 35.5 cm.



From the very end of the Proper of the Saints, beginning with lines from the end of the mass of St. Cecilia (Nov. 22), and continuing with the feast of Pope St. Clement (Nov. 23), Introit (with decorated letter) "Dicit dominus sermones mei..." The following section, the Common of the Saints, begins with the Introit - with decorated initial - "Michi autem nimis," and typically concludes with the office for the dead. "This section usually, though not always, comes at the end of the book, and the various feasts of the saints that don't have specific music refer to this section. This one may not be from the end of the book, since it seems to have folio number XXIX and cues on the second page refer to folio numbers going up to LV." (Professor Thomas Forest Kelly, whose kind assistance in the cataloguing of this item we gratefully aknowledge)