Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Piccolomini breviary
Italy, Lombardy, ca. 1475
MS M.799 fol. 95v

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Magi: Adoration -- Eldest Magus kisses left foot of nude Christ Child, nimbed, possibly raising object with right hand, seated on lap of Virgin Mary, nimbed and veiled. Two other Magi, crowned, holding covered vessels, stand in background. All within initial D decorated with foliate ornament.
In upper margin, bust of king; in lower margin bust of man wearing hat, looking upward. Both enclosed in medallions amid floreate ornament and gold balls. Medallions linked by green band in left margin decorated with helmets, hauberk, shield, and scimitar.
Beginning of collect for first Vespers on 01.06, feast of the Epiphany.
Pen-flourished initials.