Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 55v

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Upper vignette:
Christ: crowned with Thorns -- Christ, rays as nimbus, blindfolded, sits on bench, with hands crossed. He is flanked by two men with long sticks, pressing the crown of thorns on his head. Scene in room with window, within architectural frame.
Lower vignette:
Darius I of Persia: Crown taken -- Darius, wearing ermine-lined mantle, sits with hands crossed and bound (?), beside Apame, wearing hat, seated, extending her left hand and holding crown above Darius's head with her right hand. Behind wall is third figure (only head and shoulders visible). Scene in room with two windows.
Caption between vignettes reads, PAR MOCQUERIES FLORA DONNE COURO(N)NE AU ROY DE SAMARIE AINSI QUE LES JUIFS LA COURO(N)NE DE SPINES AU FINS DE MARIE.
Margins decorated with floreate border, inhabited by bird.
Strawberry within decorated initial U.