An antiphon is a piece of religious text set to music, usually in the form of a Gregorian chant

Gregorian chant, religious text, velum antiphon

The church notre dame en vaux chalons en champagne france

VELUM ANTIPHON CIRCA 1300

A decorative, double sided velum ( calf or goat skin ) antiphon ( religious text set to music, usually in the form of a Gregorian chant ). Gothic book-hand, black quadratic chant notation, four stave musical notation and a fine flourished initial in red and green. The red abbreviations or rubrics marking speakers i.e, ℣ ( versus ) indicates verse sung or spoken by the leader and ℟ ( responsorium ) indicates the refrain, sung or spoken by the choir. The handwritten notation “Baptemes, mariages et sepulture 1670”, indicates this page was used to line a book of hymns for baptisms, marriages and burials, in the 17th century. This is evident by the cut and folded edges. The four pages are not consecutive, with parts of hymns on each page. The bishops/saints Alpin ( Alpinus ) and Remigius (Remi), of the Champagne region are mentioned, locating this to the clergy of the cathedral of Saint-Etienne of Chalons-sur-Marne, now Chalons-en-Champagne, in the province of Reims. Photo added of Saint Etienne cathedral, started 1120-1147.

Framed between two panels of non reflective glass. Overall size H 500mm, W 600mm

Two pages reference Marian Matins ( Marian = Mary, Matins = Morning) sacred musical and textual chants dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sung during the dawn service of Lauds or at the climax of Matins on September 8th.

“Sicut lilium inter spinas, sic amica mea inter filias” — “As the lily among thorns, so is my beloved among the daughters” (Song of Songs 2:2)
“Favus distillans labia tua, sponsa, et odor vestimentorum tuorum sicut odor thuris” — “Your lips drop as the honeycomb, O bride, and the scent of your garments is like the scent of frankincense” (cf. Song of Songs 4:11)
“Hodie nata est beata Virgo Maria ex progenie David, per quam salus mundi credentibus apparuit” —”Today the blessed Virgin Mary was born, of the line of David, through whom salvation appeared to the world for believers”
“Nativitas tua, Dei genitrix virgo, gaudium annuntiavit universo mundo: ex te enim ortus est sol iustitiae, Christus Deus noster; qui solvens maledictionem, dedit benedictionem; et confundens mortem, donavit nobis vitam sempiternam” — “Your birth, O Virgin Mother of God, announced joy to the whole world, for from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God, who, loosing the curse, gave blessing, and, defeating death, granted us life everlasting” (This is the famous first Matins responsory for the Nativity of Mary.)
“Felix namque es, sacra virgo Maria, et omni laude dignissima… quae sola [genetricis] dignitatem obtinuit et virginalem pudicitiam non amisit” — “You are blessed indeed, holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise…you alone obtained the dignity of the motherhood without losing your virginal purity”

Two pages reference St.Aplin’s ( 409 – 480 ) active spiritual power and describes the legendary moment Alpinus returned home from an unjust exile and immediately encountered a person violently possessed by an unclean spirit (“immundus spiritus vexatione afflictus”). Saint Alpin (Alpinus) was the eight bishop of Chalons-en-Champagne, known for confronting Attila the Hun. In 451 AD, amidst a destructive invasion of Gaul, Saint Alpin confronted Attila the Hun directly to spare the city of Châlons-en-Champagne. Relying on diplomacy rather than military force, the bishop successfully persuaded the leader to spare the city and its citizens.

...et consocio plebis clamore vocatur. Esto frater mandator[um] executor sanctor[um] p[at]rum p[rae]ceptis eterni amplexator imperii. Quo te ducente gressibus gradat[ur] simul Alpinus... - “…and is called by the shared outcry of the people. Be, brother, an executor of the commandments, an embracer of the eternal empire through the precepts of the holy fathers. With you leading, Alpinus walks with matching steps…”
...et sacre unctionis carisma ve[ra] beato delibut[us] michaeli oliua[m] hereditatis domini vice munimentum... pontificalis culminis unanimi cernit[ur] thronum. - “…and the true grace of holy anointing, having been anointed with the olive of the inheritance of the Lord, as a protection for Blessed Michael… he is seen on the throne of the pontifical summit with one mind.”
Inexpugnabile fidei statuitur subsidium ad debellandu[m] contrarie potestatis cuneum pons. R[esponsorium]. Revertenti de exilio beato alpino occurrit immundus spiritus vexatione afflictus lumini claritate p[er]suatus... - “A bridge is established as an impregnable defense of the faith to defeat the battle-line of the opposing power. Responsory: To the blessed Alpinus returning from exile, an unclean spirit met him, afflicted by vexation, persuaded by the clarity of the light…”
...ustus tormentis ut pasceretur. Qui orante sancto demone caruit lumen optatum pante lo[n]g[u]a lumen...- …burned with torments that he might be fed. Who, through the prayer of the saint, was freed from the demon, [receiving] the long-desired light…”

$1,600.00