Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Astrological treatises

Belgium, Bruges, early 15th century, in or before 1403

MS M.785 fol. 19r

See more information »

First Decanus of Libra in three zones:

1) Sphaera Persica:

Lamb, held in right hand of man inscribed AGNUS. VIR IRACUNDUS IN SINISTRA MANU EIUS STATERA KARAS MUNE, hooded, holding scales in left hand (Astrological Sign: Alzubena); lectern with two books and cloth; man, inscribed MUSICUS TYMPANUM PERCUCIENS CALAMO CANENO, wearing hat, with drum suspended around neck, astride horse (Astrological Sign: Musician); body of bear, inscribed PARS URSE MINORIS (Constellation: Ursa Minor); head of dragon, inscribed CAPUT DRACONIS (Constellation: Draco); keel of ship, inscribed CARINA (Constellation: Argo Navis).

2) Sphaera Indica:

Hindquarters of bear, inscribed COXA MAIORIS VRSE (Constellation: Ursa Major); hindquarters of stag, inscribed CAUDA CERUI ET COXA (Astrological Sign: Cervus); woman, inscribed CAPUT ET MANUS SINISTRA UIRGINIS, as half figure, holding sheaf of wheat in left hand (Constellation: Virgo); arm, inscribed MANUS DEXTRA UIRGINIS; winged body of serpent inscribed PARS COLUBRI AUSTRALIS IN ASUA (Constellation: Serpens); tail of serpent (?), inscribed CAUDA ASSUA (sic) (Constellation: Serpens); centaur, inscribed PEGASUS, holding spoon-like object in right hand and sheaf of wheat in left hand (Constellation: Pegasus).

3) Sphaera Graeca:

Man, inscribed VIR AGITANS HERMEDITUS CALAMO CANTAT FLAGELLUM TENET IN MANU, wearing cap, holding goad (?) in left hand and playing horn held in right hand, walking behind cart pulled by two horses (Constellation: Plaustrum ?); half figure of man inscribed ISTE TENET CANISTRUM, holding small bucket in left hand, beside half figure of hooded man, inscribed CRUMENE, holding pouch in left hand; to right are basket (?), inscribed FARINARII FARINA (sic), sieve, inscribed CRIBELLUM, and goblet, inscribed CIPHUS (Astrological Sign: unidentified).