Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Livre des merveilles du monde
France, possibly Angers, ca. 1460
MS M.461 fol. 70r

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Livres des Merveilles du Monde: Scene, Scythia -- In upper left, among two men, one wearing turban-like headgear with sword tied to belt, both trample third man and lower their faces or mouths to his body (Cannibalism). In upper center, idol of helmeted soldier holding shield with mask and raising sword with right hand is mounted on column amid halberd, sword and scimitar strewn on ground. In background, two women astride bridled and saddled horses (partly visible). In upper right, woman and bearded man, partly visible, seated on rock before griffin guarding area laden with gems; cyclops partly visible. In foreground left, among three men, two wearing hats, and one, wearing knotted headgear, extends knife in right hand to torso of man, bleeding from wounds, strapped to table, behind them stands dog and hybrid man, body of dog, on grassy shore. In foreground center, bodies of two men on pyre amid flames, beside two men partly kneeling, one wearing hat, holds spear with right hand, the other with scimitar tied to belt. In foreground right, among two men, one wearing knotted headgear, the other with pouch tied to belt, both hold distaffs and spindles, seated on grassy cliff. In foreground far right, group of four men, wearing hats or knotted headgear, of the foremost two, with knives and pouches tied to belts, partly visible, one holds cup of blood to mouth and one points with left hand to right arm issuing blood. Scene in grassy and hilly landscape with buildings in background. Initial S of Scitie decorated with foliate ornament. Miniature for Livre de Merveilles du Monde for Scythia.