Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Netherlands, Haarlem, 1445-1460
MS M.1031 fol. 14r

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Christ: Nativity -- Within initial D, in foreground, nude Christ Child, crossed nimbus, raising right hand, reclines amid rays. At His side, kneels Virgin Mary, nimbed and crowned, with joined hands, and Joseph the Carpenter, holding candle with right hand and raising left hand. Heads of braying ass and of ox are next to Joseph.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including cornflower and bunches of twigs, and inhabited by prophet, crowned, holding floreate scepter with right hand and with left hand, scroll inscribed EGREDIETUR UIRGA DE RADICE YESSE; crowned woman, seated, with unicorn crouching before her (Bestiary: Unicorn and Virgin) and knight holding sword or scimitar.