Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter
England, possibly London, late 13th century
MS M.102 fol. 1v

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Psalm 001 (Vulg., 001).
1) Infilling of initial B:
Tree of Jesse -- Jesse, wearing cap, sits awake, with branches of tree springing from his side.
The central branches enclose three seated ancestors. David, crowned, holds scepter in his right hand and raises his left hand.
Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, and crowned, holds gold round object in her right hand, and with her left arm supports seated Christ Child, cross-nimbed, holding book. Flanking her are two angels flying and swinging censers.
Christ, cross-nimbed, sits on cushioned bench, blessing with His right hand and holding open book inscribed EGO SUM PA(NIS) [VITAE] from John 6:35. [He is also part of Creation Scene, God resting and Christ and Four Beasts.]
The lateral branches enclose sixteen prophets, including nine wearing caps and two with heads draped. Nine hold scrolls, two hold rolls, one wears glove, and five are seated. Two recline above one of the prophets in the bottom quatrefoil.
2) Body of initial B:
Creation Scenes in two quatrefoils in vertical bar of the B.
Creation Scene: 2nd Day -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, stands with His right hand raised and book in His left hand, between water and earth.
Creation Scene: 5th Day -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, stands with His right hand raised and His left hand extended, between two groups of birds.
Creation Scenes in bows of the B.
Creation Scene: 1st Day -- The half figure of Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, raises His right hand toward stars in clouds and extends His left hand.
Above and below are two leaf men clambering through the interstices of the upper bow of the B.
Creation Scene: 6th Day, and Creation of Eve -- Beside four animals, Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, raises His right hand and holds rib and head of Eve in His left hand above nude Adam with his right hand to face, seated asleep to right.
Above and below two leaf men clamber through the interstices of the lower bow of the B.
3) Frame:
Four medallions in corners.
Nimbed Evangelist Symbols with human bodies sit on benches before scrolls on lecterns; the eagle sharpens pen with knife.
Creation Scenes in medallions at center of left and right sides.
Creation Scene: 3rd Day -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, stands, raising His right hand toward tree.
Creation Scene: 4th Day -- With roll in His left hand, Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, stands, placing sun in clouds. He is flanked by clouds and earth.
Initial B formed of tendrils and interlace with foliage, including acanthus (octopus leaf) and vine leaves with grapes, and decorated with diapered spandrels, all within frame with medallions in corners and center sides.