Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Pontifical
France, perhaps Burgundy, ca. 1485
MS M.347 fol. 15r

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Scene, Liturgical: Tonsuring of Clergy -- Bishop, wearing miter with infulae, seated on draped chair, extends right hand holding scissors to head of one of five men kneeling before him. Two of the men wear pen case and ink bottle hanging at their waists; one has joined hands. At right stand two clerics, tonsured, one holding box with compartments. Behind the bishop's chair is draped altar with retable on which is crucifixion, the cross flanked by four figures.
Scene below architectural arch decorated with crockets.