Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours
Belgium, Liège, ca. 1280s
MS M.183 fol. 252v

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Initial S:
Half figure of nimbed male saint with joined hands raised in front.
Figure within initial S decorated with foliate extensions and ball. Beginning of Collect for Compline.
Initial D:
Scene, Liturgical: Celebration of Mass -- Veiled female mourner, holding open book on lap, sits on ground before two candles in candlesticks in front of draped bier resting on poles behind which six male mourners stand.
To right, tonsured priest, wearing vestments, raises (elevates) wafer (tripartite) above draped altar on which is chalice covered with corporal.
Scene beneath double trefoil arches, within initial D decorated with foliate extensions and terminal of human head. Beginning of Vespers of Office of the Dead.
To left of the initial, tonsured acolyte pulls cord of bell ringing above.
In lower margin (bas-de-page), scrolling tendrils enclose mermaid with comb, man with axe chopping tree (forestry), and hybrid man wearing pointed hat, with tail in mouth.