Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1425-1430
MS M.453 fol. 64r

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Christ: Nativity -- Christ Child, nude, reclines on two cushions. At His left is Joseph the Carpenter, wearing hat, holding crutch with right hand, crouching and touching Christ Child with left hand. At His feet is Virgin Mary, decorated nimbus, with joined hands, kneeling and looking toward Christ Child. Behind her is draped faldstool on which is book. Behind Christ Child, midwife arranges white cloth on draped bed (?). Scene in roofed shed with windows, one leaded, and with holes in roof. Birds, possibly doves, are in rafters; two men, one with joined hands, and the other wearing hat and indicating, with left hand, Christ Child, look through window, probably Shepherds: Adoration.
Margins, within circle of foliage (from top to bottom):
1) Christ: Nativity, Miracle, Withered Hand -- Joseph the Carpenter (?), wearing hat and hood, holding crutch in left hand, gestures with right hand toward midwife, handless arms extended. Above amid rays, angel flies down extending hands of midwife.
2) Confronted lamb and fox touching noses, flanked by trees.
3) Two men, possibly shepherds, one carrying sheep, the other, wearing hat and hood, carrying object, possibly sheep. Tree in background.
Margins decorated with border of floreate and foliate ornament including columbine and pinks, and inhabited by two confronted dragons, vines emerging from their mouths, linked by other vines.