MS. Canon. Liturg. 289
Summary Catalogue no.: 19388
Portable Ferial Secular Psalter with Antiphons, Use of Rome; Italy, Venice (?), 15th century, third quarter
Contents
Fols. i–ii are paper fly-leaves, bank apart from modern notes.
[items 1–2 occupy quires I–XX]
Invitatoria, antiphons and hymns for Matins on Sundays during the year with rubrics and music: Primo dierum omnium (Chevalier, no. 15450); Nocte surgentes uigilemus (Chevalier, no. 12035); initials not filled in on fol. 2r.
Psalms 1–150 in the order Sunday Matins and Lauds, Little Hours, Matins and Lauds during the week, Vespers on Sunday and during the week and Compline in secular use. Written as prose, without numbers, with titles ‘psalmus dauid’ or ‘psalmus’; punctuated occasionally, with punctus used to mark metrum. Psalms are accompanied by antiphons, versicles, responses, hymns, chapters, etc. with rubrics. Subdivisions within psalms are not indicated, apart from psalm 118, subdivided into 16-verse units. Psalms, canticles, hymns, chapters and creeds are in the following order: Sunday Matins (fol. 1v)
- 1–3
- 6–20
- Te deum laudamus (‘ymnus sanctorum ambrosij et augistini’) (fol. 22r);
Sunday Lauds (fol. 23r)
- 92, 99, 62, 66
- Benedicite omnia opera (fol. 25r)
- 148–150, psalms 149–150 are written as a single text
- Benedictio et claritas (Revelation, 7: 12) (‘capitulum’) (fol. 27v)
- Eterne rerum conditor (Chevalier, no. 647)
- Ecce iam noctis tenuatur umbra (Chevalier, no. 5129)
- Benedictus dominus deus (‘Canticum zacharie prophete’) (fol. 29v)
- Iam lucis orto sydere (Chevalier, no. 9272)
Prime (fol. 30v)
- 21–25, 53, 117, 118: 1, 118: 17
- Athanasian Creed (Quicumque uult ... ) (fol. 39r)
- Nunc sancte nobis spiritus (Chevalier, no. 12586)
Terce (fol. 41v)
- 118: 33, 118: 49, 118: 65
- Deus caritas est (John I, 4: 16) (‘capitulum’)
- Sana me domine et sanabor (Jeremiah 17: 14) (‘capitulum’)
- Rector potens (Chevalier, no. 17061)
Sext (fol. 45r)
- 118: 81, 118: 97, 118: 113
- Alter alterius onera portate (Galatians 6: 2) (‘capitulim’)
- Rerum deus tenax uigor (Chevalier, no. 17328)
None (fol. 48v)
- 118: 129, 118: 145, 118: 161
- Empti enim estis pretio mango (1 Corinthians 6: 20) (‘capitulim’)
Compline (fol. 51v)
- 4, 30: 1–6, 90, 133
- Sompno refectis artubus spreto (Chevalier, no. 19210)
Monday Matins (fol. 54r)
- 26–37
Monday Lauds (fol. 69v)
- 50, 5
- A leaf containing a section of Matins from the Office of the Dead at the end of the psalter is inserted after fol. 70.
- Confitebor tibi domine (Isaiah 12) (fol. 73r)
- Nox precessit dies (Romans 13: 12–13) (‘Capitulum’)
- Splendor paterne (Chevalier, no. 19349)
- Consors paterni luminis (Chevalier, no. 3830)
Tuesday Matins (fol. 74v)
- 38–41, 43–49, 51
Tuesday Lauds (fol. 88v)
- Ego dixi (Isaiah 38: 10–21) (fol. 89r)
- Alex [sic] diei nuntius (Chevalier, no. 795)
- Rerum creator optime (Chevalier, no. 17322)
Wednesday Matins (fol. 81r)
- 52, 54–61, 63, 65, 67
Wednesday Lauds (fol. 104r)
- Exultauit cor meum (1 Samuel 2: 1–11) (fol. 105r)
- Nox et tenebre et nubila (Chevalier, no. 12402)
- Nox atra rerum (Chevalier, no. 12396)
Thursday Matins (fol. 107r)
- 68–79
Thursday Lauds (fol. 126v)
- Cantemus domino (Exodus 15: 1–20) (fol. 127v)
- Lux ecce surgit (Chevalier, no. 10811)
- Tv trinitatis unitas (Chevalier, no. 20713)
Friday Matins (fol. 130v)
- 80–88, 93, 95–96
Friday Lauds (fol. 144r)
- Domine audiui (Habakkuk 3) (fol. 145r)
- Eterna celi gloria (Chevalier, no. 609)
- Summe deus clementie (Chevalier, no. 19636)
Saturday Matins (fol. 148r)
- 97–108
Saturday Lauds (fol. 167r)
- Avdite celi (Deuteronomy 32: 1–44) (fol. 168r)
- Aurora iam spargit (Chevalier, no. 1633)
Sunday Vespers (fol. 172r)
- 109–113
- Benedictus deus et pater domini ... (Corinthians II, 1: 3–4) (‘Capitulum’)
- Lvcis creator optime (Chevalier, no. 17328)
Monday Vespers (fol. 176v)
- 114–116, 119–120
- Inmense celi conditor (Chevalier, no. 8453)
Tuesday Vespers (fol. 179r)
- 121–125
- Telluris ingens conditor (Chevalier, no. 20268)
Wednesday Vespers (fol. 182r)
- 126–130
- Celi deus sanctissime (Chevalier, no. 3483)
Thursday Vespers (fol. 184v)
- 131–132, 134–136
- Magne deus potentie (Chevalier, no. 10935)
Friday Vespers (fol. 189r)
- 137–141
- Plasmator hominis deus (Chevalier, no. 14968)
Saturday Vespers (fol. 194r)
- 143–147
- O altitudo diuitiarum sapientiae et scientiae dei ... (Romans, 11: 33) (‘Capitulum’)
- O lux beata trinitas (Chevalier, no. 13150)
- Magnificat (fol. 198v)
Compline (fol. 199r)
- 90, 133
- Te lucis ante terminum (Chevalier, no. 20136)
- Nunc dimittis (fol. 200v)
[items 3–6 occupy quires XXI–XXIV]
Hymnal with rubrics partly filled in, comprising hymns for the year from Advent to Pentecost, followed by hymns for the feasts of saints, including Peter, Paul, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene and Michael, followed by the hymns for the Common of Saints. At the end are hymns for the Trinity. Conditor alme (Chevalier, no. 3733), Uerbum supernum prodiens a patre (Chevalier, no. 29391), Uox clara ecce intonat (Chevalier, no. 22199), Christe redemptor omnium ex patre (Chevalier, no. 2960), A solis ortuus cardine (Chevalier, no. 26), Hostis herodes impie (Chevalier, no. 8073), Audi benigne conditor (Chevalier, no. 1449), Ex more docti mistico (Chevalier, no. 5610), Iam christe sol iusticie (Chevalier, no. 9205), Avres ad nostras deitatis (Chevalier, no. 1612), Uexilla regis (Chevalier, no. 21481), O crux spes aue (Chevalier, no. 12842), Pange lingua gloriosi prelium (Chevalier, no. 14481), Lvstris sex qui iam peractis (Chevalier, no. 10765), Ad cenam agni prouidi (Chevalier, no. 110), Rex eterne domine (Chevalier, no. 17393), Aurora lucis rutilat (Chevalier, no. 1644), Tristes erant apostoli (Chevalier, no. 20589), Iesu nostra redemptio (Chevalier, no. 9582), Eterne rex altissime (Chevalier, no. 654), Ueni creator spiritus (Chevalier, no. 21204), Iam christus astra (Chevalier, no. 9215), Beata nobis gaudia (Chevalier, no. 2339), Sacris solemnis (Chevalier, no. 17713), Pange lingua gloriosi corporis (Chevalier, no. 14467), Uerbum supernum prodiens nec patris (Chevalier, no. 21398), Doctor egregie paule mores (Chevalier, no. 4791), Quodcumque uinclis super terram (Chevalier, no. 16918), Iam bone pastor petre clemens (Chevalier, no. 9196), Ut queant laxis resonare (Chevalier, no. 21039), Antra deserti teneris (Chevalier, no. 1214), O nimis felix meritique celsi (Chevalier, no. 13311), Aurea luce et decore (Chevalier, no. 1596), Iam bone pastor petre clemens (opening lines, Chevalier, no. 9196), Doctor egregie paule mores (opening lines, Chevalier, no. 4791), Nardi marie pistici (Chevalier, no. 11846), Petrus beatus cathenarum laqueos (Chevalier, no. 14885), Aue maris stella (Chevalier, no. 1889), Qvem terra pontus ethera (Chevalier, no. 16347), O gloriosa domina excelssa (Chevalier, no. 13042), Tibi christe splendor (Chevalier, no. 20455), Christe sanctorum decus (Chevalier, no. 3000), Christe redemptor omnium conserua tuos famulos (Chevalier, no. 2959), Ihesu saluator seculi redemptis (Chevalier, no. 9677), Exultet celum laudibus resultet terra gaudijs apostolorum (Chevalier, no. 5832), Eterna christi munera apostolorum gloriam (Chevalier, no. 590), Deus tuorum militum (Chevalier, no. 4533), Martir dei qui unicum patris (Chevalier, no. 11228), Sanctorum meritis inclita gaudia (Chevalier, no. 18607), Eterna christi munera et martirum uictorias (Chevalier, no. 598), Rex gloriose martyrum (Chevalier, no. 17453), Iste confessor domini (Chevalier, no. 9136), Iesu redemptor omnium perpes (Chevalier, no. 9628), Iesu corona celssior (Chevalier, no. 9494), Iesu corona uirginum (Chevalier, no. 9507), Uirginis proles opifexque matris (Chevalier, no. 21703), Urbs beata yerusalem dicta pacis (Chevalier, no. 20918), Angularis fundamentum (Chevalier, no. 1082), Adesto sancta trinitas (Chevalier, no. 487), Tu trinitas laudabilis (Chevalier, no. 20707), Fons pietatis (Chevalier, no. 6446), Iesus postquam monstrauerat (Chevalier, no. 9736).
Directions for recitation of the Gradual Psalms; cues for psalms, versicles and responses. Prayers, with rubrics ‘oratio’, each followed by cues for psalms, versicles and responses:
- (1) Absolue quesumus domine animas famulorum famularumque tuarum et omnium fidelium defunctorum ...
- (2) Deus qui proprium est misereri semper et parcere ...
- (3) Pretende domine famulis et famulabus tuis dexteram celestis auxilji ...
- (4) Presta domine fidelibus tuis ut ieiunorum uentura solemnia et congrua pietate ...
Litany, containing Augustine among the ‘pontifices’; Benedict, Anthony, Bernard, Francis, Dominic and Goteardus among ‘monachi et hermite’; and Clare (of Assisi (?)) among the virgins. Includes spellings such as ‘lucha’, ‘Marche’, ‘lutia’ and ‘catarina’. Followed by psalm 69 with antiphons, versicles and responses, and collects with rubrics ‘oratio’ (fols. 237v–239v):
- (1) Deus cui proprium est misereri semper et parcere ...
- (2) Exaudi quesumus domine supplicum preces ...
- (3) Ineffabilem nobis domine misericordiam tuam ...
- (4) Deus qui culpa offenderis ...
- (5) Omnipotes sempiterne deus miserere famulo tuo pontifici nostro ...
- (6) Deus a quo sancta desideria recta ...
- (7) Ure igne sancti spiritus renes nostros ...
- (8) Fidelium deus omnium conditor et redemptor animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum . . .
- (9) Acctiones nostras quesumus domine aspirando preueni ...
- (10) Omnipotens sempiterne deus qui uiuorum dominaris simul et mortuorum ...
Office of the Dead, ‘secundum consuetudinem Romane curie’, imperfect at the end because of the loss of a quire at the end of the manuscript, comprising Vespers and the beginning of Matins. A single leaf from the missing section, containing a fragment of Matins, is incorrectly bound as fol. 71. The fragment begins with ‘. . . tudine anime mee dicam deo ...’ (Lectio secunda of the First Nocturn) and ends with ‘... et ante te erubesco dum ueneris’ (versicle following Lectio tertia). Fols. 242–243 are blank paper fly-leaves.
Physical Description
Collation
Layout
Horizontals ruled in pale ink, single blind-ruled vertical bounding lines extending the full height of page; 19 lines per page; written below the top line; written space: c. 113 × 80 mm.
Hand(s)
Large formal Gothic book hand, black and brown ink.
Decoration
Initials and borders in two styles, most by an artist from the workshop of Franco dei Russi, who was active in Venice from 1465 to 1471; on fols. 172r and 202r the borders may have been completed by the first artist (Pächt and Alexander, 1966–73; Bauer-Eberhardt, 1997).
fol. 1r, Hymns for Matins on Sundays (miniature), King David kneeling on rocky ground, hands joined in prayer; landscape with cities in the background; half-figure of God, blessing, in clouds above; rectangular frame, decorated with laurel garlands.
(initial V(enite)) 5-line initial on gold background, infilled with a bust of a bearded saint.
(full border) Rectangular border outlined in pink, blue, green and gold, decorated with filigree scrolls, gold discs, flowers, birds, masks, a vase and miniatures: (1) vase with flowers, mounted on a brick wall with a doorway; (2) squirrel; (3) rabbit; (4) deer, lying behind a fence with a scroll in the background. In the lower margin two kneeling angels support a laurel wreath with a coat of arms: quarterly 1 and 4 argent a fess gules, Zorzi of Venice (?); 2 and 3 party per bend sinister or and azure (Pächt and Alexander, 1966–73).
fol. 2v, Psalm 1 (initial B(eatus)), 6-line initial on gold background decorated with foliage, infilled with the bust of King David.
(full border) Foliage, flowers, filigree scrolls and gold discs.
4- to 5-line initials on gold background, decorated with foliage, and full borders, decorated with filigree scrolls, flowers, fruit and gold discs at the beginnings of psalm 109 (fol. 172r) and the hymnal (fol. 202r).
2- to 4-line initials on gold background, decorated with foliage and gold discs at liturgical divisions at psalms 26 (fol. 54r), 38 (fol. 74v), 52 (fol. 91r), 68 (fol. 107r), 80 (fol. 130v) and 97 (fol. 148r).
2-line initial on gold background and border, decorated with filigree scrolls, flowers, fruit and gold discs at the beginning of a hymn on fol. 1v.
3-line red or blue initials, decorated with contrasting blue or red penwork, at liturgical divisions at the beginnings of psalms 15 (fol. 13r), 114 (fol. 176v), 121 (fol. 179r) and 131 (fol. 184v).
2-line alternating red and blue initials, decorated with contrasting blue or red penwork at the beginnings of psalms, prayers, litany and hymns.
1-line plain red or blue initials at the beginning of verses and periods.
Initials are not filled in on fol. 2r. Guide-letters and instructions for the rubricator (e.g. fols. 188v, 189r) sometimes survive.
Rubrics in red ink, occasionally not filled in in the psalter and hymnal (e.g. fols. 130r, 217r, 229v).
Binding
Soranzo’s binding: parchment over pasteboard; small stiff flaps on the fore-edges of covers. ‘289’ written in black ink on spine. Brown leather label on spine, framed with gilt arabesque designs, with gilt lettering ‘BREV. ROM. || JUXTA RIT. || CONSUET. || COD . MEMB.’. Fragment of a paper label on spine printed ‘Can[on.] || Lit[urg ... ]’. Pastedowns and fly-leaves of stiff paper with burgundy, purple and yellow floral designs (carta bassanese). Further fly-leaves made of 18th-century laid paper; no watermarks.
History
Provenance and Acquisition
Made in Venice (?): evidence of decoration; coat of arms of Zorzi of Venice (?) quartered with another family (fol. 1r).
Jacopo Soranzo (1686–1761): binding. After Soranzo’s death by about 1780 at Cá Cornèr at San Maurizio, Venice (Mitchell, 1969).
Matteo Luigi Canonici of Venice (1727–c. 1806): bought soon after 1780.
Bodleian Library: bought in 1817 from Canonici’s nephew Giovanni Perissinotti. Earlier shelfmark: ‘E Codd. Bodl Miscell Liturg 289’ (fol. 1v).
Record Sources
Bibliography
Select bibliography to 2004:
Abbreviations
View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.
Last Substantive Revision
2024-07: Encode full description from Solopova catalogue.