Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Missal
France, probably Troyes, ca. 1400
MS M.331 fol. 187r

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Christ and Four Beasts -- Christ, crossed, decorated nimbus, raising right hand in blessing, holding with left hand tripartite globe inscribed with building, is seated on bench. He is flanked by two altars. At left is draped altar with altarpiece, flanked by two rods from which hand curtains. Burse with chalice, paten and inscribed wafer (host) are on the altar. At right, is altar with altarpiece on which are two tablets (Tables of Law). All is enclosed by frame in shape of diamond within square frame.
Evangelists and symbols are in each corner of the square frame. Matthew, nimbed, is seated on faldstool, holding quill with right hand and scraper with left hand, writing on scroll inscribed S(ANCTUM) M(A)THEUM. Evangelist symbol (angel), winged, stands behind the scroll. Symbol for Evangelist John (eagle), nimbed, looks back toward John, nimbed, seated on bench with legs crossed, raising quill with right hand, resting left hand with scraper, on scroll inscribed S(ANCTUM) IOHANE(M), resting on back of the eagle. Mark, nimbed, is seated on bench with footrest, writing with quill in right hand on scroll inscribed MARCUM. Symbol (lion), winged, nimbed, sits at his feet, head back turned looking toward Mark, holding with front paws scroll inscribed SECUNDUM M(ARCUM). Symbol for Evangelist Luke (ox), nimbed, winged, sits looking back at Evangelist Luke, nimbed, wearing eyeglasses, seated on bench before writing desk, holding scraper with left hand and quill with right hand, writing in book.
Background of gold vinescroll on of gold, red or blue ground.
Margins decorated with border of gold rinceaux some sprouting from rectilinear bars enclosing text and from gold barbed quatrefoils at corners, three enclosing masks or faces. Gold cross with trilobe terminations in lower margin.
Miniature precedes Canon of the Mass.