New York City (NY), Columbia University - Butler Library - Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Plimpton MS 040D

Cantus Siglum

US-NYcub Plimpton MS 040D

Holding Institution

New York City (NY), Columbia University - Butler Library - Rare Book and Manuscript Library (US-NYcub)

Manuscript/Print

Manuscript

Summary

Fourteenth-century folio from an antiphonal originating in Bologna, Italy. Square notation on 4-line ink-ruled red staves with custos. Parchment measuring 459 x 303 mm with 8 lines of text and music. formal gothic liturgical book hand. (Summary based on information from Digital Scriptorium 1.0)

Liturgical Occasions

Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Nativitas Mariae / Birthday of Mary)

Description

Folio 1r–1v: Antiphoner for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Nativitas Mariae / Birthday of Mary)
Italy, Bologna, c. 1300–1325
Parchment, ink, pigments, and gold leaf
Formal Gothic Liturgical Book Hand; Square notation on four-line red staves with custos
Attributed to the artist Nerio

This large antiphonal fragment preserves portions of the Office for the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, celebrated on September 8. It was produced in Bologna, Italy, in the early fourteenth century and is attributed to the Bolognese illuminator Nerio. Written in a formal Gothic liturgical book hand, the manuscript contains square notation on four-line red staves, with custos at the end of each staff. (Information provided by digital scriptorium entry)

Folio 1r
On folio 1r only F clef is used. The ink shows uneven wear across the parchment, though the text and musical content remain legible. This side introduces the chants for the feast day, which celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary.

The upper right corner contains a foliation number of 104 written in Arabic numerals.

Folio 1v
While most of the musical notation continues in F clef, the chant "Hodie nata est beata virgo Maria" begins with two lines in C clef. The decorated initial "H" shows visible ink smudging of the green and red pigments, which may suggest later moisture damage.

Double boundary lines ruled in lead on either side of the ruled space run from top to bottom.

A large historiated initial "h" illustrates the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in a highly detailed architectural space. The Virgin and her mother, Saint Anne, are shown with gold halos. They are attended by four women: one holds a gold-leaf fan that resembles a flabellum, while the others present vessels, possibly for aromatic oils, and a gold box. The group stands within a space defined by architectural forms, including an alcove on the right and windows on the left. The color palette includes green, blue, red, and gray, set against a dark blue ground with white tracery. The letter is light blue with additional white tracery. The surrounding foliate decoration extends only along the staff line.

Marginal decoration includes a roundel with two white painted X’s at the base and an additional roundel within the left border of the historiated initial. Vertical red lines, drawn in the same ink as the musical staff, extend the full height of the staff to separate chant phrases.

Full/Partial Inventory

Full Inventory

Complete Source/Fragment

Fragment