Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Bible
England, Oxford, ca. 1220
MS M.791 fol. 150r

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1) Ahasuerus: Feast -- Ahasuerus, crowned, raising right hand and resting left hand on table, is behind draped table on which are loaves and vessels. He is flanked by five men.
2) Ahasuerus: sending for Vashti -- Ahasuerus, crowned, raising right hand is seated, with legs crossed, on cushioned bench; before him stand three men, the foremost raising right hand.
3) Ahasuerus: consulting Wise Men -- Ahasuerus, crowned, is seated on cushioned bench, raising right hand and looking to his right. He is flanked by four men.
4) Three virgins, two with right hands raised, follow Esther, led by Hegai who holds her right hand with his left.
5) Ahasuerus: with Esther -- Man, possibly Hegai, presents Esther to Ahasuerus, crowned, arms extended, reclining on draped bed with cushion behind head.
6) Esther: before Ahasuerus -- Esther, both hands raised, stands before Ahasuerus, crowned, seated on cushioned bench, extending foliate scepter held in right hand to Esther. To left, man stands behind Esther.
7) Esther: Feast -- Esther, crowned, raising right hand, is flanked by Haman and Ahasuerus, crowned, raising right hand. All are behind table on which are loaves, dishes and covered cup.
8) Mordecai: Triumph -- Mordecai, holding foliate scepter in right hand is astride saddled horse before five men, one of whom plays viol.
9) Haman: hanged -- Haman, with noose around his neck and hands behind his back, is flanked by two men on ladders, one placing rope of noose around furca. Dog sits at feet of Haman.
Scenes enclosed in medallions against background of gold, decorated with foliate ornament.
Beginning of Esther.