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Parchment Leaf containing decorated initial 'S' from a gradual

Description

Object IDGAA.MSS.2026.1Date1270-1280CreatorRinaldo de Siena (Italian, active 1274–1278)DescriptionA single vellum leaf containing a large ornamental initial 'S' (approximately 95 mm in height) marking the Introitus for the Feast of Saint Paul the Apostle. The initial sits upon a blue field with white tracery and is embellished with real gold leaf and curved foliage terminating in bulbous leaves.
The centre features intricately entwining stems decorated with elaborate penwork. The verso contains two smaller decorated initials ('D' and 'Q') with penwork ornamentation. The leaf preserves music notation in neumes script on four-line red staves, with text in sepia brown ink and rubrics in red.

This leaf is attributable to the Sienese panel painter and illuminator Rinaldo da Siena, documented in 1274 and 1278.

As an original witness to thirteenth-century Sienese liturgical practice and musical notation, this leaf provides unparalleled pedagogical opportunities for students of medieval musicology, palaeography, art history, and liturgical studies. The work represents the earliest period of Italian manuscript illumination and musical notation.No. pages1FormatManuscriptDimensions (mm x mm)533 × 373 mm

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Parchment Leaf containing decorated initial 'S' from a gradual

Use & Access

CopyrightCC0-Public DomainAccessOpenStatusAvailable online

Connections

Special CollectionsGordon Athol Anderson Music Collection Related itemLeaf containing ornamental initial 'I' from a gradualExploreLibrary Special Collections | Gordon Athol Anderson Music Collection | Manuscripts

Accession

NumberGAA.mss.2026.1

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Parchment Leaf containing decorated initial 'S' from a gradual