Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Cuerden psalter
England, Oxford, ca. 1270
MS M.756 fol. 8v

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Zone 1:
1) Christ: Ascension -- Only feet of Christ appears visible beneath cloud and above Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, with book in right hand and left hand raised, flanked by Apostles Peter, tonsured, and Paul, bald, both holding books, and nine apostles, one with left hand raised, all nimbed, and two men with right hands raised, all standing.
Scene beneath trefoil arch.
2) Pentecost -- Dove of Holy Ghost descends from cloud toward Virgin Mary, veiled, with right hand raised and book in left hand, flanked by Apostles Peter, tonsured, and Paul, bald, both holding books, and by nine apostles, one holding book, two with hands raised, all nimbed, all seated.
Scene beneath arcade of three trefoil arches.
Zone 2:
3) Trinity: Mercy Seat -- God, cross-nimbed, sits on bench, with arms supporting tau-cross, to which Christ, cross-nimbed, eyes closed, head inclined, in long loin cloth, is affixed with three nails, and above which is descending dove of Holy Ghost.
Figures beneath arcade of three pointed arches.
4) Virgin Mary: Coronation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, crowned, head inclined, turns with joined hands raised toward Christ, cross-nimbed, crowned, with book in left hand and right hand raised in blessing her, both wearing vair-lined mantles, seated on bench.
Scene beneath trefoil arch.
Zone 3:
5) Apostles, Peter and Paul -- Apostle Peter, tonsured, with right hand raised, and two keys in left hand, and Apostle Peter, bald, with sword in right hand and left hand raised, both nimbed, stand with their heads turned toward each other.
Scene beneath arcade of three trefoil arches.
6) Christopher of Lycia: carrying Christ Child -- Wading through water in which fishes swim, Christopher of Lycia, nimbed, holds staff in right hand and with left arm supports seated Christ Child, cross-nimbed, with right hand raised in blessing and spherical object in left hand.
Scene beneath three arches, the wider one above Christopher.
All six compartments against blue backgrounds within decorated frame.