Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, perhaps in Mons, ca. 1450-1460
MS M.104 fol. 73r

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Christ: Circumcision -- Virgin Mary, with rays as nimbus, wearing headdress with chin-strap, holds nude Christ Child for priest or mohel, wearing hat, circumcising the Christ Child, standing behind draped altar. Behind the mohel stands man, possibly Joseph the Carpenter or attendant, holding covered vessel in draped left hand. To left stand two women, one veiled and the other wearing headdress and holding her mantle with both hands. Scene inside temple with stone walls, arches, two columns, and conical canopy.
Margins with ivy-rinceaux, floreate, and vinescroll ornament. Baguettes with floreate patterns in left, lower, and right margins. In lozenge in right margin is long-necked bird holding serpent in its beak. In lower margin are two birds, including one with wings extended, turning head over left shoulder and the other with head turned over right shoulder.