Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Missal
France, Tours, ca. 1500
M.495 fol. 8r

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Christ: Nativity -- Christ Child, body partially draped reclines on drapery in straw-filled manger flanked by six angels, nimbed, kneeling, four with joined hands. Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled, hands extended, kneels at left; Joseph the Carpenter, nimbed, leaning on crutch, kneels at right. Six angels, nimbed, arms crossed on breast, hover above. Ox and bridled ass are in cave opening behind wattle fence and below ruined roof in background. Two pairs of shepherds stand at left and right, three holding peda, one holding basket.
In distance at left, half-figure of angel holding scroll appears in rayed arc of Heaven, above two shepherds. (Shepherds: Annunciation)
Initial P enclosing violas.
Gold foliate scroll on blue background in lower margins, with heraldry of Guillaume Lallemant family (gules a chevron or between three roses argent centered or) on escutcheon in lower margin. All enclosed by gold frame on black ground.