Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, ca. 1430
MS M.64 fol. 51r

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Magi: Adoration -- Virgin Mary, decorated nimbus, is seated holding, with both hands, nude Christ Child, cross-nimbed, on her lap. With His right hand He extends object back to left hand of Joseph the Carpenter, wearing hood, holding bowl in right hand, kneeling on one knee, pedum on floor beside him. With left hand, Christ Child reaches into vessel held by right hand of foremost Magus, raising left hand, kneeling, his crown on cushion (?) next to him. At right are other two Magi, both crowned, both holding covered vessels, one indicating star with right hand, the other raising right hand. Scene in canopied architectural frame, with crosses surmounting peaks of roof. Landscape visible through windows.
Right margin, within circles of foliage (top to bottom):
Magi: Journey -- Magi, on horseback, one wearing crown, accompanied by four other men, one on horseback.
Magi: Journey -- Magi, on horseback, wearing crowns, accompanied by three other men, one on horseback.
Lower margin, within circle of foliage:
Magi: before Herod the Great -- Foremost of Magi, all crowned, extends right hand, touching right hand of Herod the Great, crowned, holding scepter in left hand, seated on canopied throne. Other men stand in background and behind throne.
Margins decorated with border of foliate and floreate ornament, including strawberry.