Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours
France, Amiens, between 1280 and 1299
MS M.729 fol. 290r

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1) Christ: Flight into Egypt, Fall of Idols -- In initial D decorated with geometric ornament and diapered backgrounds, Virgin Mary, nimbed, veiled, holds swaddled Christ Child, cross-nimbed, and sits sideways on bridled ass, whose head bends toward ground. The ass is led by Joseph the Carpenter carrying draped staff on his left shoulder, raising his right hand, and indicating broken bestial idol falling from column, at portal of temple.
2) Margins - Rectilinear bars decorated with foliage, enclosing seven heraldic escutcheons, including Count of Grandpr³b (two), Hangest (one), and Moreuil (three), and bust of man, and inhabited by two hybrid birds, one with looped neck, rabbit, two hybrid animals, and hybrid man with winged headgear.