Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Bible
Italy, Padua, ca. 1287-1300
MS M.436 fol. 215r

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Initial:
Solomon: Scene, expounding Proverbs -- Solomon, crowned, raising left hand and holding withes in right hand stands facing youth, nude, hands crossed on breast.
Scene within initial P decorated with foliate ornament and with foliate extenders inhabited by head or mask of man with donkey ears. In descender, king, crowned, standing on foliage surrounding head of man holding book (?), standing on back of crouching man.
Margin:
1) Gold balls, and vine decorated with balls and foliate ornament; .
2) Medallion enclosing monk (?) holding scroll, seated on throne, next to desk and before prie-dieu (?).
3) Confronted birds, possibly crows.
4) Lion standing on and biting, back of cow (?).
Beginning of Proverbs