Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, perhaps in Paris or northeastern France, ca. 1465
MS M.1003 fol. 82v

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Miniature:
Shepherds: Annunciation -- Shepherdess, wearing diadem or crown of flowers, is seated, possibly stringing flowers. Next to her is dog, wearing spiked collar, sitting up on hind legs. She is flanked by two shepherds, possibly dancing, one with hat hanging on back, raising his right hand in front of his face, holding pedum (?) in left hand, wearing wineskin or purse at waist. The other, his hood falling off, holds pedum (?) in right hand and raises left hand. All three look up toward three angels, half figures, two with cross surmounted heads, above tower inscribed TURIS GREGIS (sic), holding scroll inscribed GLORIA IN EX(CELSIS) DEO ET IN TERRA PAX. Another angel hovers next to tower holding scroll inscribed NATUS EST UOBIS HODIE SAL(UATOR). In background is city beneath starry sky.
Medallions in margins, from top to bottom:
1) Shepherds: Journey -- Three shepherds, two wearing hats, one holding bagpipe, two holding peda (?) stand in landscape with tower and sheep in distance.
2) Shepherds: Adoration -- Within stable with wattle walls, and roof with dormer, Virgin Mary, nimbed, is seated, holding Christ Child, nimbed, nude, in her hands; Joseph the Carpenter is next to them. The three shepherds, two holding peda (?), one extending hand toward Christ Child, two wearing wineskin or purse at waist, kneel at entrance to stable. Third pedum (?) leans against entrance of stable.
3) Shepherds: Return -- Two of three shepherds wear hats, and either wineskin or purse at waist, and carry peda (?), one holds leash of dog wearing spiked collar, and the third carries bagpipe. They are walking in landscape with trees and city in background.
Margins decorated with floreate ornament including strawberry, dianthus, and inhabited by: hybrid man, wearing hat, with body of fish, grasping body of flying (?) bird; birds; insect, possibly dragonfly; and hybrid man, wearing hat, with body of bird, aiming bow and arrow at bird.