Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 82r

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Upper vignette:
Saul: at Endor (I Samuel 25:07-13) -- Witch of Endor, wearing hat, stands with right forefinger raised, extending left hand with mirror, in which is face of horned devil. Facing her is Saul, wearing hat, with hands extended. Scene in landscape setting.
Lower vignette:
Saul: at Endor (I Samuel 25:14) -- Saul, wearing hat, with hands raised, stands above half-figure of Samuel, in partially draped mantle, emerging from grave, with right hands raised. Scene in landscape setting.
Caption between vignettes reads, SAUL FIST PAR LA PHILOMISSE LEUER L'ESPRIT DE SAMUEL DE PUIS SAUL DE L'ARTIFICE SESPOUANTA Q(UAN)T IL LE VIT TEL.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including thistles and violas, inhabited by moth and by half-figure of monkey (?), wearing collar, touching top of head of second monkey (?), wearing hood, seated on stool (?), playing rebec.
Dog heads in decorated initials D and monkey (?) in decorated initial H.