Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Naples, 1483
MS M.1052 fol. 13r

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Archangel Gabriel, nimbed, holding lily in left hand, kneels on right knee and gestures toward Virgin Mary, nimbed, kneeling with joined hands raised. Dove of Holy Ghost, encircled by golden cloud, emits rays to Virgin Mary. Scene in room with marble floor, walled garden, curtain, and bed.
Margins with gold jewels and gems, including pearls, emeralds, and rubies. In right margin is cameo, depicting male head shown in profile, inscribed DIVLII F (sic). In lower margin, in large brooch (?) with gems is escutcheon of arms (beneath an ecclesiastical hat sable with twelve tassels sable, or a fess vert three pellets, in chief an eagle displayed with two heads issuant sable, in base four triangles gules barwise).