On offer here is an ORIGINAL VELLUM ANTIPHONAL LEAF DATING FROM ABOUT THE LAST HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY.  

This leaf is an excerpt from the ubiquitous latin Christian hymn 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo' (Glory to God in the Highest') aka the greater doxology. 

THE HYMN IS DERIVED FROM THE SCRIPTURE VERSE IN LUKE 2:14 WHEREIN THE ANGELS WERE ANNOUNCING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST TO SHEPHERDS.  

The leaf measures 15.5 in x 21.0 in edge to edge. The vellum leaf has standard age toning and corner soiling / thumbing from past page turning. There are also some minor pigment losses in the vine illumination. 

THE FIGURE OF CHRIST IN THE MARGIN MEASURES 11 IN TALL AND IS ACCENTED ABOVE AND BELOW BY DECORATIVE VINES. 

The staves are 5 lines which indicate 16th century or later and stylistically the font and illumination suggest a scribe & artist in Southern Europe (e.g. Spain, Portugal, Southern France). The text from legible portions of latin we can decipher is approximately as follows ; (we welcome error correction by scholars)

This work has obvious connective significance to the Christmas holiday. 

Recto (non illuminated side) 

Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris,

qui tollis peccáta mundi,

miserére nobis

qui tollis peccáta mundi,

súscipe 

(translation) 

Lamb of God, Son of The Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer

Verso (illuminated / decorated margins) 

(continues from first side / page) 

deprecatiónem nostram.

Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris,

miserére nobis.

Quóniam tu solus San(tus) 

(translation) 

you are seated at the right hand of the Father
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy

A fine example of an important antiphonal excerpt and one directly related to the Christmas holiday with exceptional illumination.  

Please email any questions.