Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Livre des merveilles du monde
France, possibly Angers, ca. 1460
MS M.461 fol. 4r

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Livres des Merveilles du Monde: Scene, Africa -- To left, amid trees are bear, elephant, lion and bust of unicorn. In center, on grassy plateau with trees and grain fields, are two rams and two oxen, some with heads lowered (grazing), beside two shepherds, one, wearing hat, leans on pedum held with right hand, and the other wearing hood, with hat tied to back and with water-bottle tied to waist, raises left hand to shield face; third ram is in foreground with head turned. To right, wivern, serpent and otter-like fantastic animal, possibly basilisk, look toward nude infant lowered in hands of bearded man, wearing turban-like headgear and knotted belt, accompanied by two other men in similar dress, one with arms crossed on breast. Scene in hilly landscape with trees and city in background. Initial A of Affrique decorated with foliate ornament. Miniature for the Livres des Merveilles du Monde for Africa.