Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours of Guiluys de Boisleux
France, Arras, after 1246
MS M.730 fol. 173r

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Scene, Liturgical: Obsequies -- Shrouded body lies on draped four-post bed, on which are four incense pots, surrounded by five female mourners, one wearing wimpled veil, raising hands at head of the bed, one veiled, bending over the bed, and below, one wearing berbette, raising hands, one raising hands, and one veiled, seated with right hand to face.
In background, before altar on which is chalice, two tonsured acolytes hold candlesticks in which are candles, attended by cleric holding processional cross. To right, three tonsured clerics stand before open book on lectern.
Scene beneath trefoil architectural frame surmounted by tower with three crosses, all against gold punched background, within initial P decorated with foliate ornament for Vespers Antiphon in the Office of the Dead.
Line ending: cat holding mouse in mouth.
Line ending: long-eared hybrid animal with two bodies.
Line ending: heraldic escutcheon of Boisleux.
Line ending: hybrid man, armed with shield, aiming spear at hindquarters of nude man indicated with his right hand, holding stick in left hand, and looking back (Scene, Obscaena).
Line ending: three escutcheons, the first Neuville-Vitasse, the second gules, a bordure and a canton argent, and the third Boisleux.
Line endings: foliate and geometric ornament.