Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Livre des merveilles du monde
France, possibly Angers, ca. 1460
MS M.461 fol. 26v

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Livres des Merveilles du Monde: Scene, Ethiopia -- In upper left, four reptiles including dragon and wivern beside flames; horned eagle, and group of five people before crowned dog. To lower left, two troglodytes, wearing garments of skins, hold lizards, one raising the lizard to his mouth the other bites another lizard; both in entrance to cave. Bearded man, with body covered in hair, resting club on right shoulder, beside two acephalus, nude, one extending hands to head of man beside crowned king (partly visible). In center, two nude men, sit on rock beside two other bearded men, wearing garments of skins, gesturing. To right, nude man, gestures toward nude female with animal tail, accompanied by hybrid figure with hooves (only back visible). Another nude hybrid man, with large ears. In foreground, two nude men crawl on ground (compodes). Scene in hilly landscape with city in background. Initial E of Ethioppie decorated with foliate ornament. Miniature for Livre de Merveilles du Monde for Ethiopia.