Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Astrological treatises
Belgium, Bruges, early 15th century, in or before 1403
MS M.785 fol. 10r

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Third Decanus of Gemini in three zones:
1) Sphaera Persica:
Crowned man, inscribed CORONA UIRIDIS AMPHION MUSICUS QUI TYMPANISTA DICITUR, plays horn beside musical instruments, including violin, inscribed VIOLA and standing drum inscribed TIMPANUM (Astrological Sign: Amphion); barking dog, inscribed CANIS LATRANS (Constellation: Canis or Constellation: Bo³œtes); cloth, inscribed ORNAMENTA SUTORIS (Astrological Sign: unidentified); head and forequarters of bear, inscribed MEDIETAS MINORIS VRSE (Constellation: Ursa Minor); tail of serpent, inscribed CAUDA CERASTIS, ending in funnel-shaped object inscribed LINTE (sic) (Astrological Sign: Cerastes); dolphin, inscribed DELFINUS (Constellation: Delphinus).
3) Sphaera Indica:
Man, inscribed VIR ARMATUS QUERENS VARIS INSTRUMENTA MUSICE ARTIS ET IOCOS, wearing chain mail armor, holding bow and arrow, beside musical instruments, including lute, inscribed VIOLA; violin and bow, inscribed ARCUS VIOLE; harp, inscribed GIGA UEL LIRA, decorated with animal head; and hurdy-gurdy, with attached strap (Astrological Sign: Vir Armatus).
3) Sphaera Graeca:
Pollux, inscribed POLLUCIS HUMERUS MANUS ET CETERA, shown without left arm and leg, and Castor, inscribed COXA CASTORIS ET PES, only shown as leg with webbed foot (Constellation: Gemini); hindquarters of rabbit, inscribed PES LEPORIS (Constellation: Lepus); ship, inscribed ARGOLICA NAUIS PLENA OMNI MERCE, containing vases and sacks (Constellation: Argo Navis); dog, inscribed RICTUS CANIS (Constellation: Canis).