Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

[Computus collection]
Italy, possibly Piacenza, 1018-1032
MS M.925 fol. 38v

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Two columns of twelve hands and six male half-figures within medallions depicting finger-reckoning gestures.
First column:
Hand 1 -- Left hand raised. Thumb bent and placed across palm, signifying 50.
Hand 2 -- Left hand raised. Thumb bent and placed behind index finger, signifying 60.
Hand 3 -- Left hand raised. Thumb bent and placed across palm, signifying 70.
Hand 4 -- Left hand raised. Thumb bent toward index finger, signifying 80.
Hand 5 -- Left hand raised. Index finger bent and placed on lower joint of thumb, signifying 90.
Hand 6 -- Right hand raised. Index finger bent and touching first joint of thumb, signifying 100.
Hand 7 -- Right hand raised. Thumb and index finger touching, signifying 200.
Hand 8 -- Right hand raised. Index finger bent and touching tip of thumb, signifying 300.
Second column:
Hand 9 -- Right hand raised. Little finger bent toward middle of palm, signifying 1000.
Hand 10 -- Left hand raised. Ring finger and little finger bent toward middle of palm, signifying 2000 (text describes right hand).
Hand 11 -- Right hand raised. Middle finger, ring finger and little finger bent toward middle of palm, signifying 3000.
Hand 12 -- Right hand raised. Index finger bent and touching middle joint of thumb, signifying 4000.
Figure 1 -- Left hand of figure raised to breast, fingers up, palm out, signifying 10,000. Right hand of figure raised, pointing to head.
Figure 2 -- Left hand of figure raised to breast, fingers up, signifying 20,000. He holds object in raised right hand.
Figure 3 -- Left hand of figure raised to breast with thumb turned in, signifying 30,000. He holds object in right hand.
Figure 4 -- Left hand of figure raised, palm out, signifying 40,000. He holds object in raised right hand.
Figure 5 -- Left hand of figure placed on abdomen, signifying 50,000. He raises right hand, pointing.
Figure 6 -- Left hand of figure placed on thigh, signifying 60,000. He raises right hand, pointing.