Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Northern France or Flanders, ca. 1445
M.287 fol. 68r

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Magi: Adoration -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, is seated before cloth of honor, holding with both hands, nude Christ Child, nimbed, extending His hands toward vessel held with both hands of eldest Magus, wearing purse at waist, kneeling on one knee before them. Joseph the Carpenter, holding crutch with both hands stands next to Virgin Mary. The other two Magi, crowned, one raising right hand to crown, both holding vessels, stand behind the kneeling Magus. Open box in which are gold objects is in foreground.
Scene in half-timbered structure with decorated walls; above roof, star at left and bust of angel in arc of Heaven at right.
In lower margin, three horsemen, two wearing pointed turbans, one wearing hat with feather, two astride bridled horses, one with crop in right hand turning back to second horseman; third horseman, holding reins with right hand and rod with left hand, seated sideways on horse with feet on basket. Fourth man, wearing cap with feather, holding rod with right hand, stands at head of pack horse bearing chest or box, holding reins with left hand.
Miniature and text surrounded on three sides gold frame, terminating with floreate ornament. Margins decorated with border of foliate and floreate ornament including strawberry.