Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 35r

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Upper vignette:
Magi: Adoration -- Virgin Mary, seated beside vessel, holds nude Christ Child, rays as nimbus, draped with transparent cloth, extending left hand toward eldest Magus, kneeling with joined hands raised. Behind them stand two Magi, wearing crowns, one holding vessel and one looking toward star of Bethleham in sky. Scene in front of shed, within architectural frame.
Lower vignette:
Solomon: visited by Queen of Sheba -- Solomon, seated in draped throne beneath canopy, holds scepter in right hand and extends left hand toward Queen of Sheba, kneeling, holding vessel in left hand, in front of two queens, wearing crowns. Scene in room with window, within architectural frame.
Caption between vignette reads, LA ROYNE SABBA FIST HONNEUR A SALOMO(N) DE DONS COURTOYS QUI SIGNIFIE LES TROYS ROYS FAISANS DONS A NOSTRA SEIGNEUR.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including cornflowers, and roses, inhabited by hybrid man, wearing hood. In left margin is scroll with pseudo-inscription.