GAFFURIO, Franchino (1451-1522)

Il Codice Sola Cabiati. Manoscritto autografo su carta. Lodi: 1473-1474.   An extraordinary music-theoretical manuscript containing the main treatises of medieval and early Renaissance music theory. The volume brings together the "Ars cantus mensurabilis" by Franco da Colonia (13th century), the "Lucidarium" and part of the "Pomerium" by Marchetto da Padova (early 14th century), as well as a treatise on counterpoint. It is not a simple miscellany, but rather a comprehensive journey through the theory of mensural notation, polyphony, and composition.   Among Franchino Gaffurio's known autographs, this codex occupies a particularly important position. It is the oldest manuscript entirely written by the author identified so far, predating the renown "Libroni" preserved at the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo in the Milan Cathedral, and closely linked to the musician's youthful training at the monastery of San Pietro in Lodi Vecchio. The manuscript's authorship is confirmed by Gaffurio's signature, dated September 16, 1473, and by a further, valuable note in his hand, recording the passage of King Christian I of Denmark through Lodi in 1474, on his way to Milan. The manuscript also documents the young Gaffurio's working method: numerous corrections, marginal additions, references, and explanatory drawings testify to a continuous revision of the texts, while several pages intentionally left blank demonstrate the intention to later expand the treatise.   Particularly fascinating is the rich set of twelve marginal drawings in red chalk, executed with remarkable care and attention to physiognomy. They depict female and male portraits, figures in armor, studies of weapons, and a devotional scene with several figures, dating between the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Their attribution remains unclear and constitutes one of the manuscript's most fascinating aspects. The binding, in precious red morocco from the second half of the 19th century and attributed to the Binda brothers, retains the curious inscription "Portraits of Leonardo da Vinci" on the spine, a reminder of the long-standing interest in these drawings.   The history of the codex unfolds over a long period in the Lodi area: it belonged to the Biblioteca dell'Incoronata in Lodi, likely a gift from Gaffurio himself, and later passed to the Biblioteca Capitolare (the blind stamp of the Bishopric on p. 3 may refer to this period). It reappeared on the market in 1925 through a sale organized by Hoepli in Milan. On that occasion, it was purchased by Count Gian Ludovico Sola Cabiati, who gave the codex its current name, and has remained in the same family lineage ever since.   Folio (289 x 205mm). Manuscript on paper, 100 pages numbered in pencil, 12 figures and some weapons drawn in red chalk (few occasional wormholes and marginal browning, light staining and foxing). 19th-century red morocco signed "Binda Milano," elaborate gilt frames and blindstamped decorations on covers, gilt title "Portraits of Leonardo da Vinci. Measured Music. Precious Ms." on spine, gilt-decorated dentelles, marbled endpapers (some scuff marks and stains, minor defects).   For a more detailed description of the manuscript, please contact the department. For the reconstruction of the provenance and the historical-codicological analysis, we thank Professor Martina Pantarotto referring to her fundamental study "I manoscritti milanesi di Franchino Gaffurio" (Scripta, XII, 2019, pp. 161-181).   The lot is subject to a declaration of cultural interest dated November 30, 1925, which is still in force pursuant to the Cultural Heritage and Landscape Code, Legislative Decree 42/2004. Therefore, the lot cannot leave the Italian territory.

Estimation € 180,000 - 250,000