Medieval missal

Medieval missal, northern Italy. Lectionary with annotated musical leaves. Heavy wood covers, with metal studs and embossing. Inside front cover notes in later hand. The physical condition of this massive manuscript is fairly good. However, as it lacks information about its precise provenance and date, we would like to engage a medieval manuscript expert to examine it, after which the manuscript will be cataloged and made publicly available.

Condition and treatment: This is a medieval Choir Book with text inscribed on large quires of parchment. The manuscript is accompanied by choir sung plainchant written in square notations on four staves. The textblock is sewn on six alum tawed split thongs that are laced into a wooden cover. The cover is bound in full leather and is adorned with metal bosses and scalloped brass turn-ins, as well as metal studs protruding from the edges. The binding measures 16 inches wide by 22 inches tall with a ½ in square around the textblock. The parchment textblock appears to have been previously repaired, re-sewn, trimmed and placed back into in its original medieval covers. In addition to the musical notation, the manuscript contains decorated initials and one illuminated capital letter. Little is known about the history of the medieval manuscript; however, a handwritten index is written on the upper parchment pastedown that dates to 1728 and may indicate the date the book was last rebound. Further research to identify the text and date of the manuscript is greatly needed, however, conservation must be performed to first stabilize the red rotted leather binding and reattach loose leaves prior to scholarly handling. Conservation staff will highly document the condition and structure of the binding using a variety of photographic documentation techniques and conduct conservation research prior to repair. Treatment will likely entail stabilizing the cover attachment to the textblock, consolidating and repairing the leather, including replacement of missing leather spine bands, and surface cleaning throughout the textblock as needed. Historic parchment textblock repairs that are loose will be reattached. The heavy binding will be housed with a custom support for handling.