MS M.785, fol. 21v

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Abū Maʻshar
-886

Astrological treatises

Bruges, Belgium
early 15th century, in or before 1403
254 x 175 mm

Purchased in 1935

MS M.785
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First Decanus of Scorpio in three zones:
1) Sphaera Persica:
Hindquarters of horse, inscribed FINIS EQUI MASCULI QUI HEC DEMUS DICITUR (Constellation: Centaurus); hindquarters of bull, inscribed VLTIMA MEDIETAS TAURI (Constellation: Taurus); bald man, inscribed NIGELLUS HASTA DARDANIA, holding raised spear in right hand (Astrological Sign: unidentified); pair of cymbals, inscribed CYMBALUM (Astrological Sign: Musical Instrument).
2) Sphaera Indica:
Woman, inscribed MULIER CIBOS GESTANS, holding basket in right hand and pitcher in left hand, and man, inscribed VIRO SUO MARGO, wearing pouch at waist, holding mace (?) over right shoulder, both flanking tree (Astrological Sign: Woman).
3) Sphaera Graeca:
Man, inscribed ARCHADIUS, holding in right hand head of Medusa (?), inscribed CAPUT GORGONIS QUOD ALAVNE DICITUR (Constellation: Perseus and Caput Medusa); animal tail; man's breast, inscribed PECTUS LIBRE (Constellation: Libra ?); hindquarters and tail of wolf, inscribed CLUNIS LUPI CUM CAUDA (Constellation: Lupus); crown, inscribed CORONA ADRIAGNES (Constellation: Corona); centaur's tail, inscribed CAUDA CENTAURI (Constellation: Centaurus).

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Photography by Pixel Acuity, 2021