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

Cantus Siglum

US-NYcub Plimpton MS 040E

Holding Institution

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

Manuscript/Print

Manuscript

Summary

Fourteenth-century manuscript fragment containing two leaves from an antiphonal originating in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Black or gold square notation on red 4-line staves. Parchment measuring 540 x 390 mm with 6 lines of text and music. Gothic book hand. (Summary based on information from Digital Scriptorium 1.0)

Liturgical Occasions

Easter, Purification of Mary (Purificatio Mariae / Candlemas)

Description

Antiphonal with chants for Easter and for the Purification of Mary (Purificatio Mariae / Candlemas)
Italy, Emilia-Romagna (Rimini), c. 1300–1325
Parchment, ink, pigments, and gold leaf
Gothic liturgical book hand with decorative display capitals
Black and gold square notation on red four-line staves
Illuminator: Neri da Rimini (information provided by Digital Scriptorium)

This folio contains partial liturgies for Easter and for the Feast of the Purification of Mary (Candlemas), celebrated on February 2. Produced in Emilia Romagna in the early fourteenth century, this manuscript is attributed to the illuminator Neri da Rimini. The musical notation consists of black and gold square notes on red four-line staves, with distinctive custos marks featuring decorative tails and small flourishes. (Information provided by Digital Scriptorium)

Folio 1r contains part of Matins on Easter Day, with a decorated pen-flourished "EG" in Ego.

Pencil notations at the bottom of the leaf, possibly reading “aaa” or “add”, suggest later handling or cataloging. The page shows modest wear, but the text and music remain clear and legible.

Folio 1v contains a large historiated initial that extends from the top to nearly three-quarters down the page. The illumination depicts the two Marys' Visit to the Empty Tomb on Easter morning and their encounter with the Angel, based on the Gospel accounts. The composition features extensive use of gold leaf and shaded pigments. The musical incipit beside the illumination is also highlighted in gold.

A faint Arabic numeral "4" appears in the lower margin. A small tear is visible in the lower right corner of the parchment.

The illumination scroll includes a guard holding an axe. The inhabited-foliate border surrounding the illumination is restrained, extending only along the immediate staff line. A second figure carrying a spear emerges from the top of a leaf scroll, which is part of the border of the bottom of the page.

Folio 2r continues with liturgy for Candlemas.

A later addition of Arabic numerals pagination appears in the right margin.

The text and music are legible, although this side shows more pronounced oxidation damage from the iron gall ink than the verso.

Folio 2v is visibly darker in tone than the recto, suggesting exposure to different environmental conditions over time. The parchment has also been trimmed, cutting into some of the original margins. The surface of the folio is slightly wavy.

A large historiated initial on the verso illustrates the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, the central moment commemorated on the Feast of the Purification of Mary. The scene is illuminated in gold leaf, blue, red, green, and white pigments.

Full/Partial Inventory

Full Inventory

Complete Source/Fragment

Fragment