Anon. - Manuscript; Hymnarius with 186 hand-painted initials - 1745

(Manuscripts; Music; Religion; Choirbooks, Bindings). ANON (Zenobius Mazzeranghius ?). Hymnarium. Anno domini 1745.
Large folio (428 x 285), [3: index], 48, [3 blank] leaves, magnificent contemporary brown calf binding, blindstamped bishop’s coat of arms on both covers, inscribed into a double-fillet frame with angular fleurons and four original brass buckles on each side, perfectly preserved, original metal clasps still present and working, a truly fine copy on crisp and strong paper. The tetragrams lines ruled in red, as the running titles related to the events of the church calendar, 186 finely hand-painted initials (SEE PICTURES) of various size and colours (from 120 x 100 to 30 x 30 ca. , some with decorated extensions), the text ends at leaf 47 verso, three other blank leaves following. Fascinating large size mid XVIIIth century choirbook of unknown author (we have not able to trace any news neither about the presumable writer, Zenobius Mazzeranghius nor about the blindstamped coat of arms on the binding) in original conditions, practically flawless. A vast collection of religious songs and hymns related to the catholic church liturgy current in the middle of 18th century, in a truly desirable copy at a competitive reserve price.