5 Masses
Luzzaschi-1, F. Viola-3, Willaert-1
iii + 173 + iii paper folios, 730 x 520. New pencil foliation, I-III + 1-173 + I-III. Original numbering of Masses, I-V, in index; numbers II-V also appear on (18th century?) tabs fastened to side of leaf upon which each Mass begins. Blank staves only on ff. 45'-46, 78'-79, l07'-108, 133'-134, 173'; f. 1 and f. 2 blank. Restored original covers of dark brown leather on boards, with elaborately decorated brass ornaments, edges, and bosses; two straps fasten front and back covers together. Original index on f. 1' lists Masses in order of appearance, with attributions. Copied by a single scribe. Staff height 28. Painted primary initials (some historiated) in gold, red, green, pale purple, blue, white, and reddish brown; inked calligraphic secondary initials. Main initial at beginning of first Mass torn out. Watermark: anchor in circle surmounted by six-pointed star.
Ca. 1564-8 (MarvinF). Copied in Ferrara, for use at the ducal court of Alfonso II d'Este (1533-97). Este family library transferred from Ferrara to Modena in 1598; joined to Modena university library in 1892.
Census-Catalogue of Manuscript Sources of Polyphonic Music 1400-1550