Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Loire, ca. 1475
MS G.1.I fol. 21r

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Virgin Mary: Annunciation -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, hands raised, kneels at draped prie-dieu on which is open book. She turns toward Archangel Gabriel behind her, holding scepter with right hand and indicating Mary with left hand. Dove of Holy Ghost descends on rays from upper right. Canopy with drapery held by angel is above Mary.
Scene in room with wooden vault and windows with interior shutters.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including viola, and inhabited by two doves (?) and cock (rooster), and hybrid man with bird body. In right margin, initials I and B bound together with knotted cord. In lower margin scroll inscribed with ET NON AVTRE around escutcheon with defaced heraldry.