MS M.785, fol. 32r

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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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Second Decanus of Pisces in three zones:
1) Sphaera Persica:
Forequarters of stag, inscribed MEDIUM TAUROCERUI (Astrological Sign: Cervotaurus); body of crocodile, inscribed MEDIUM COCODRILLI (Constellation: Draco); body of scorpion, inscribed MEDIUM SCORPIONIS (Constellation: Scorpio).
2) Sphaera Indica:
Two veiled women, one wearing headdress, inscribed MULIER UENUSTA, beside four figures, including one woman, all inscribed COGNATI EIUS ET NOTI, standing on shore beside man, inscribed NAUIGANS, wearing headgear, holding oars, seated in boat on water (Astrological Sign: Woman).
3) Sphaera Graeca:
Leg of Cepheus, inscribed CRUS CEPHEI CUM PEDE (Constellation: Cepheus); arm and hand, inscribed MANUS ANDROMEDE (Constellation: Andromeda); fish tail, inscribed CAUDA CETI POSTREMUM PISCIS SECUNDI (Constellation: Pisces); bearded head inscribed CAPUT CASSIPIE (Constellation: Cassiopeia); fish tail, inscribed CAUDA CETI (Constellation: Cetus); hindquarters of horse, inscribed POSTREMITAS EQUI SECUNDI (Constellation: Equuleus).

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Photography by Pixel Acuity, 2021