Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Gradual
Italy, Florence, 1392-1399
MS M.653 no. 5 (I.15)

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Initial E:
Magi: beholding Star -- Seated before mouth of cave with awning and beside Joseph the Carpenter, raising right hand and holding vessel in left hand, Virgin Mary, veiled, holds Christ Child, cross-nimbed, partially draped, in her lap. Eldest magus, crown on ground beside him, kneeling, grasps feet of Christ Child and kisses them. Younger and middle-aged magi, both crowned, holding vessels, look on. All figures are nimbed.
Beyond hill with cave, two bridled camels (only heads visible) are held by male figure.
Scene within initial E decorated with foliate ornament.
Margins:
Historiated border decorated with foliate ornament frames text.
Magi: beholding Star -- In left corner of lower border, second of three magi, astride horse, points toward star. Two other magi ride camels. All three are nimbed and follow man walking with stick and bag over shoulder and another man astride camel beside a second camel carrying chest.