Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Saint-Omer, between 1320 and 1329
MS M.754 fol. 63v

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Christ: before Pilate -- Man, wearing winged headgear, presenting Christ, cross-nimbed, standing with left hand raised, before Pilate, raising left forefinger toward raised right hand, seated with legs crossed, on bench.
Scene against gold diapered background, beneath cinquefoil arch of gable with pinnacles, in initial D with foliate ascender of animal hybrid, within diapered panel.
Beginning of first versicle of Prime of Long Hours of the Cross / Hours of the Passion.
Margins decorated with foliate stems, balls, and bottom bar of scrolling foliage.
Margin, upper, inhabited by three birds.
Margin, left, inhabited by female donor (donee?), veiled, kneeling with joined hands raised, accompanied by pet dog raising paws, and male figure walking on stilts (Scene, Sports and Games: Stilt-walking).
Margin, lower, inhabited by male figure mounted on bridled horse, aiming lance (?) at snail on pitcher (illustrated like an ewer), between two trees; below, head of bearded male figure wearing hat, and hybrid man of head with legs exposing hindquarters (Obscaena).