Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Bible
England, Oxford, ca. 1220
MS M.791 fol. 4v

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1) Trinity: Two Persons flanking Dove -- God, with crossed, pearled nimbus, his arms reaching out to sides, is seated on cushioned bench next to Christ, with crossed scalloped nimbus, raising right hand and extending left. Christ is within mantle of God. Dove of Holy Ghost, cross-nimbed, is between them. All are within quatrefoil; God grasps left side of quatrefoil with His right hand and Christ grasps right side with His left hand. They are flanked by Nine Choirs of angels, all with pearled nimbi, emerging from clouds. Below, four devils, winged, fall headlong (Angel: Fall).
2) At right are four Rivers of Paradise, inscribed, one legible, EVFRATES, each encircling cities from each of which heads of men emerge. Cities are inscribed, two legible, PERSE and ETHIOPIA. Between the four cities are foliate ornament, animals and birds.
3) Creation Scene -- At left, dove flies above disk on which earth is represented surrounded by waters. Disk is supported by six angels, with pearled nimbi.
4) Creation Scene: 1st Day -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, holding roll in left hand and raising right hand, stands before eight angels, seven with pearled nimbi, and two holding flaming torches. All enclosed within medallion formed by fantastic animal, the head of which bites frame.
5) Creation Scene: 2nd Day -- Within medallion, Christ-Logos, with crossed, pearled nimbus, holding book in draped left hand, raises right hand toward disk on which firmament is represented above waters surrounding earth.
6) Creation Scene: 3rd Day -- Within medallion surrounding circle of water, Christ-Logos, with crossed, pearled nimbus, raises right hand and extends left hand toward two trees.
7) Creation Scene: 4th Day -- Christ-Logos with crossed, pearled nimbus, His left hand draped, raises right hand toward firmament in which are stars, and heads of personifications of sun and moon above trees surrounded by waters. All enclosed within medallion formed by fantastic animal, the head of which bites frame.
8) Creation Scene: 5th Day -- Within medallion, Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, holding roll in left hand, raises right hand toward three birds flying in firmament above two other birds, two animals and trees, surrounded by water.
9) Creation Scene: 6th Day and Eve: Creation -- Within medallion, five animals, including sheep and goat, stand next to tree behind Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, raising right hand and with left hand possibly drawing Eve from side of Adam reclining beside tree.
Scenes and figures against background of gold, decorated with vine scroll, some of which is inhabited by animals. In frame is ornament of greek key; head of man is in each corner.