Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Florence, between 1490 and 1499
MS M.14 fol. 20r

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Christ: Nativity -- Historiated initial D enclosing Joseph the Carpenter, nimbed, holding staff in left hand, seated on ground, and Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, kneeling with joined hands raised, both flanking nude Christ Child, nimbed, emanating rays, laying on bed of straw. Star above the Christ Child. In shed are ox and ass. In background, angel appears in sky above group of shepherds and flock. Around the initial are four cherubs kneeling with joined hands raised.
In margins is foliate ornament. At upper left in oval medallion is nimbed prophet holding scroll with pseudo inscription. Below is cameo showing man in profile and cherub reclining on oval medallion enclosing female prophet, nimbed, holding scroll with pseudo inscription. Below is another cameo with profile and cherub sitting oval medallion enclosing nimbed prophet, holding scroll with pseudo inscription. In upper margin is medallion inscribed IHS flanked and held by two cherubs.
At upper right is medallion with Evangelist Matthew, nimbed, an angel behind him, writing with pen in book. Below is cameo with profile and two cherubs seated on medallion enclosing nimbed female prophet, pointing with right hand toward scroll with pseudo inscription held in left hand. Below is cameo with profile and two cherubs seated on medallion enclosing Evangelist Luke, nimbed, beside ox, writing with pen on book with pseudo inscription.
In lower margin four angels hold wreath of laurel encircling escutcheon with arms of the Pitti-Taddei de'Gaddi (azure a cross bottonn³be or).