Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Florence, ca. 1495
M.305 fol. 160r

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Initial:
Death: Scene -- Within initial D, winged, crowned, skeleton, holding staff with both hands, hovers above four recumbent bodies on ground below.
Margins:
1) Medallion enclosing cross with X at intersection of arms and upright, all flanked by down-turned torches.
2) Vignette with half-figure of skeleton, crowned, raising right hand, holding scepter on left shoulder with cord on which are crossed bones and skull.
3) Vignette with saint, nimbed, holding skull with each hand, all flanked by two putti, holding vases, their bodies terminating in foliage.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament inhabited by skulls, one with ears; winged putti heads; two hybrid men with bodies of dragons.