Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Rouen, ca. 1480
MS M.131 fol. 55v

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Miniature:
Magi: Adoration -- Two Magi, wearing hats with crowns, hold gold vessels in left hands; one indicates star above with right hand. The third Magus, holding hat with crown with left hand, and extending right hand, kneels on one knee, and looks toward Virgin Mary and nude Christ Child, both nimbed. She is seated on bed or throne holding Him on her lap. He holds gold vessel with right hand. They are sheltered by thatched canopy.
Scene in landscape with wattle fence, and hills and trees in distance.
Margin, left:
Magi: Journey -- Three Magi, wearing hats, each holding gold scepter, astride bridled horses in landscape with trees.
Margin, lower:
Augustus: Prophecy of Sibyl -- Before draped prie-dieu on which is imperial crown, Augustus, wearing fur-lined cloak, with joined hands raised, kneels looking upward. Tiburtine sybil, wearing turban type of headdress stands behind him, her left hand on his left shoulder, her right hand indicating half-figure of Virgin Mary and nude Christ Child, both nimbed, amid rays in arc of Heaven.
Scene in roofless room with decorated wall and tile floor; trees in distance beneath blue sky.
Margins decorated with border of floreate and foliate ornament inhabited by birds, including two confronted cocks, and fantastic animal.