Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours
Belgium, Liège, 1261
MS M.440 fol. 219v

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Scene, Liturgical: Obsequies -- Two veiled female mourners, one with open book, sit in front of two flaming candles in candlesticks and draped bier, behind which stand eight tonsured clerics, including one holding processional cross, beside tonsured priest raising hands before chalice covered with corporale on draped altar, all beneath architectural frame with two bell towers flanking Abraham, as half figure, holding napkin containing heads of three souls (Abraham: representing Paradise).
Scene against gold background, within initial D, partly formed by two fantastic animals and marginal foliate extension.
In spandrels of the initial D, six medallions enclosing three-quarter figures of male mourners and woman wearing berbette, all gesturing, and two seated women, wearing berbettes, holding (reading) open books, all against gold backgrounds.