Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 88v

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Upper vignette:
David: Flight to Mt. Olivet -- Absalom, wearing hat, holds hilt of sword at waist in right hand. At right, David, wearing crown, with bare feet, flees. Behind him are two men, wearing hats. Scene in landscape setting.
Lower vignette:
Ahithophel: Death -- Horned devil extends hands and right foot toward Ahithophel, hanging by neck from rope tied to tree. Scene in landscape setting with buildings in distance.
Caption between vignettes reads, PAR LA TRAISON DE ACHITOFEL ABSALON TUER PRETENDIT SON PERE DAUID COMME FEL MAIS LE TRAISTRE EN FIN SE PENDIT.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including violas, inhabited by bird and by snail on back of hybrid man, holding club in left hand.
Dog (?) head within decorated initial Q and snail within decorated initial D.