Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Belgium, Cambrai, 1490-1500
MS M.116 fol. 59v

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Magi: Adoration -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, holds, with her right hand nude Christ Child, rays as nimbus, on her lap; with her left hand, she holds covered cup. She is seated on bed with canopy, her feet resting on cushion. Magus, with joined hands kneels before them. Behind him are two other Magi, crowned, one holding covered cup, the other wearing saber at waist. Joseph the Carpenter, nimbed, stands behind Virgin Mary, holding hat with left hand. Figures in open shed with hole in thatched roof through which travel rays. Ox and ass are outside of shed, as are two shepherds (Shepherds: Adoration).
Margins decorated with border of floreate ornament including viola, thistle, rose, sweet pea, strawberry and grape, and inhabited by butterfly and bird pecking grapes.