C12th cutting with remains of a coloured initial, Carolingian Lectionary

Cutting from an early liturgical book, probably a choirbook, with remnants of a large white vine initial ‘B’, parchment.
[Germany, early twelfth century].

Approx. 176mm x 64mm. White vine initials, also known as white vine ornamentation or “bianchi girari” in Italian, are decorative initials found in early choirbook manuscripts of the twelfth century. These initials are characterized by delicate, interlacing tendrils resembling vines, which are often drawn in white ink against a dark or colored background. The term “white vine” refers to the use of white pigment to create these intricate designs.
Note the penwork ‘rivetted banding’ in a pleasing script with simple neumes above that seems to hold the strands of the body of the initial together, the red dot inside the smaller red capital, and the purple ink of the acanthus leaves in the initial, as distinctively German features
These initials were primarily used in liturgical manuscripts, particularly choirbooks, which contained music and texts for the various parts of the Christian worship service. White vine initials were typically employed at the beginning of important sections such as psalms, hymns, or liturgical chants. They served as ornamental markers, enhancing the visual appeal and helping the readers navigate through the text.

The chants have been identified as follows:

RECTO

. . . .]m.

Spiritus sanctus [as an incipit]

Could be          Spiritus sanctus docebit uos alleluia     CAO 5005

or                     Spiritus sanctus procedens a throno     CAO 5007

[A Facta autem die ibat Iesu]s in desertum [locum et turbae requirebant eum et] uenerunt usq[ue ad ipsum et detinebant illum ne disce]deret ab eis [alleluia].

CAO 2835             cf SG 388 p. 248

[A Detinebant turbe ihesum ne disceder]et ab eis qu[ibus ille dixit quia et aliis ciuitatibus] oportet me [euangelizare regnum dei alleluia].

CAO 2162              cf SG 388 p. 248

[In oc]t Pentecostes ad uesp[eras]

[A  Ultimo f]estivitatis die [dicebat Iesus qui in me credit] flumina de uentre eius fluent aque uiuae hoc autem dixit de spiritu quem accepturi erant credentes in eum alleluia

CAO 5263              cf SG 388 p. 248

VERSO

[De trinitate] [A Te deum patrem ingenitum te filium unigenitum te spiritum sanctum paraclitum sanctam et indiuiduam trin]itatem toto c[orde et ore confitemus laudamus a]tque benedicim[us tibi gloria in secula.]

CAO 5116  f Bodleian Laud. misc. 284 fol. 60r

[A De]um uerum un[um in trinitate et trinitatem in unitate] uenite ad[oremus.]

CAO 1061             cf SG 388 p. 104

[A Adesto deus unus omn]ipotens pa[ter et filius et spiritus sanctus.]

CAO 1268              cf SG 388 p. 104

A T[e unum in substantia trinum in personi]s confitemur.

CAO 5126              cf SG 388 p. 104

[A Te semper idem] esse uiuere et intellegere  profitemur.

CAO 5124             cf SG 388 p. 104

B[e]n[edicat nos deus deus noster . . .

CAO 6240           cf Bodleian Laud. misc. 284 fol. 60r