Gradual, Switzerland, Late 14th Century

Graduals (Music) -- Illustrations; Music -- Manuscripts -- Switzerland -- Illustrations; Gregorian chants -- Illustrations; Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval -- Switzerland; Illumination of books and manuscripts, Swiss; Manuscripts, Medieval

This gradual leaf shows a peculiar form of musical notation called "Hufnagelschrift", or "horse shoe nail writing" because of its resemblance to the nails used to shoe horses at the time. Graduals collect chants or antiphons used in the celebration of Mass into one book--usually these were quite large so that many monks in the choir could sing from one book. Script is Angular Gothic. Text is unknown.

Unknown.

28.5 x 20.5 cm. In distinctive Otto Ege mat, cream-colored with fine red ruling lines. Handwritten note in pencil (Ege's hand) reads "Switzerland, 1370 A. D. Gradual leaf with "horseshoe nail" notation". Lower left corner of mat bears the mark "63/26." Two other pieces in the collection bear a similar mark of 63 over a changing number.

1370

Central Washington University, Special Collections

Definite Ege leaf; originating collection unknown.

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Latin

Text

Z5948 .M6 C33