Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Astrological treatises
Belgium, Bruges, early 15th century, in or before 1403
MS M.785 fol. 21v

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First Decanus of Scorpio in three zones:
1) Sphaera Persica:
Hindquarters of horse, inscribed FINIS EQUI MASCULI QUI HEC DEMUS DICITUR (Constellation: Centaurus); hindquarters of bull, inscribed VLTIMA MEDIETAS TAURI (Constellation: Taurus); bald man, inscribed NIGELLUS HASTA DARDANIA, holding raised spear in right hand (Astrological Sign: unidentified); pair of cymbals, inscribed CYMBALUM (Astrological Sign: Musical Instrument).
2) Sphaera Indica:
Woman, inscribed MULIER CIBOS GESTANS, holding basket in right hand and pitcher in left hand, and man, inscribed VIRO SUO MARGO, wearing pouch at waist, holding mace (?) over right shoulder, both flanking tree (Astrological Sign: Woman).
3) Sphaera Graeca:
Man, inscribed ARCHADIUS, holding in right hand head of Medusa (?), inscribed CAPUT GORGONIS QUOD ALAVNE DICITUR (Constellation: Perseus and Caput Medusa); animal tail; man's breast, inscribed PECTUS LIBRE (Constellation: Libra ?); hindquarters and tail of wolf, inscribed CLUNIS LUPI CUM CAUDA (Constellation: Lupus); crown, inscribed CORONA ADRIAGNES (Constellation: Corona); centaur's tail, inscribed CAUDA CENTAURI (Constellation: Centaurus).