Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, ca. 1470
MS M.28 fol. 111r

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Scene, Liturgical: Burial -- Tonsured priest, wearing vestments, holding aspergil in right hand, and acolyte, holding processional cross in right hand and situla in left hand, stand and flank body wrapped in cross-inscribed shroud, being lowered by kneeling man into grave dug in tile floor of church. Beside the man are two shovels (spades), and behind the priest stand two hooded mourners. Scene in church interior with groin vaulted ceiling, draped altar with carved retable, with Crucifixion scene, and leaded-glass windows.
Amid foliate ornament in margins are owl, with wings extended; hybrid man, wearing hat, aiming bow and arrow; bear, seated, with right foreleg extended; goldfinch, with left leg raised and wings extended; hybrid man, winged, wearing hat, playing bagpipe; and winged dragon.