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an old manuscript with a red and black writing on it
Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

155 - Middle Ages Fragment of a graduale or antiphonary.
See original version (German)

Estimate €300 - €400
Sale commission
Description
Middle Ages Fragment of a graduale or antiphonary. 14 lines. One column. Latin manuscript on parchment. Gothic Textualis formata (Textura). Text area approx. 22.3 x 18 cm (26 x 20 cm). Germany or France, 14th/15th century (c. 1400–1500). Framed under glass. ON PALEOGRAPHY: The calligraphic quality, with penangular curves (sharp angles) and straight lines, is characteristic of professional scriptoria. Other palaographically significant features include the numerous abbreviations and ligatures. Dots above the ‘q’ or above the ‘m’ and ‘n’ indicate omitted sounds or syllables, whilst superscript endings such as ‘-us’ or ‘-rum’ are common chancery conventions of the period. Regarding the CONTENT: Four-strophic neumes (square note heads) suggest a choral or gradual; the text could be psalm-like or antiphonal (“Nemo domini ne cum nic qui” – possibly “Non nobis Domine” from Psalm 113, but with variations). The large initial ‘D’ (presumably ‘Domine’), red incunabula and floral ornaments are decorative and liturgical in nature. Regarding the INITIAL: Inside the ‘D’ are diamond- and almond-shaped fields decorated with delicate dot and line patterns. Fine, sweeping tendrils extend from the body of the letter, running down and up the left-hand margin. Small leaves and blossoms are attached to the tendrils, some accented in red and blue, as is frequently found in late medieval book illumination. Fragment of a graduale or antiphonary. 14 lines. One column. Latin manuscript on parchment. Written in Gothic Textualis (Textura). Text area approx. 22.3 x 18 cm (26 x 20 cm). Germany or France, 14th/15th century (c. 1400–1500). Framed under glass. ON PALEOGRAPHY: The calligraphic style, characterised by penangular curves (sharp angles) and straight lines, is typical of professional scriptoria. Other paleographically significant features include the numerous abbreviations and ligatures. Dashes above the ‘q’ or above the ‘m’ and ‘n’ indicate omitted sounds or syllables, whilst superscript endings such as ‘-us’ or ‘-rum’ are common chancery conventions of the period. Regarding the CONTENT: Four-stanza neumes (square note heads) suggest a choral or gradual; the text could be psalm-like or antiphonal (“Nemo domini ne cum nic qui” – possibly “Non nobis Domine” from Psalm 113, but with variations). A large initial ‘D’ (presumably ‘Domine’), red incunabula and floral ornaments serve decorative-liturgical purposes. Regarding the INITIAL: Inside the D are diamond- and almond-shaped fields decorated with fine dot and line patterns. Fine, sweeping tendrils extend from the body of the letter, running down and up along the left margin. Small leaves and blossoms sit on the tendrils, some accented in red and blue, as is frequently found in late medieval book illumination. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to standard taxation. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
See original version (German)
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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