Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Florence, ca. 1495
M.305 fol. 18r

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Initial D:
Within initial D, half-figure of Virgin Mary, nimbed, holds with both hands, nude Christ Child, crossed nimbus.
Margins:
1)Medallion enclosing mongram IHS surmounted by cross.
2) Medallion enclosing half-figure of man wearing hat, raising right hand, holding building model with left hand.
3) Quatrefoil enclosing escutcheon decorated with heraldry of Salimbeni family (argent, three bends counter embattered gules), surmounted by winged putto head, flanked by two torches emanating from mask below escutcheon.
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament inhabited by winged putti heads; putti, arms raised supporting foliage, holding foliage, holding torches, wrestling (?); hybrids with human heads and insect-like bodies; camaïeu head amid foliage; mask flanked by torches.