digital photograph (jpeg)
Excellent condition
The Salzinnes Antiphonal is shown here enclosed under a plastic tent in the conservation lab at CCI Labs in Ottawa. The enclosure serves to maintain a constant temperature and humidity level important for the sensitive nature of the antiphonal's vellum or parchment support.
A liturgical choir manuscript dated 1554-1555, written in Latin on vellum, the Salzinnes Antiphonal reveals a unique insight into the spiritual and cultural lives of the nuns from the Cistercian Abbey of Salzinnes, near Namur, present day Belgium. It features text and music, as well as several full-page, half page and quarter page illuminations of Biblical and non-Biblical scenes including portraits of named nuns.