MS M.785, fol. 14r

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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 Leo in three zones:
1) Sphaera Persica:
Dog tail, inscribed CAUDA CANIS (Constellation: Canis); bow and arrow (Constellation: Sagitta ?); lion head, inscribed CAPUT LEONIS (Constellation: Leo); man, holding oar, in half boat inscribed DOMICILIA NAUIS EUM VENUS ET NAUCLERO (Constellation: Argo Navis ?); head of ass, inscribed CAPUT ASINI (Constellation: Asinus); head of one-horned hydra inscribed CAPUT YDRE (Constellation: Hydra); head of horse, inscribed CAPUT EQUI (Constellation: Equuleus).
2) Sphaera Indica:
Tree, inscribed ARBOR, before dog, faintly inscribed CANIS ... (sic) (Constellation: Canis ?); swaddled infant in cradle (crib), inscribed FERETRUM CARUNE (sic), beside two spears or arrows and two men, inscribed VIR LUGENS EAM ET PARENTES EIUS. ISTE EST DOMINUS EQUI VESPICIENS UERSUS BOREAM HABENS SAGIT TAM VRSE SIMILI ILLAM EXPECTANS, one wearing cap, with right hand raised to his face and the other wearing pouch at waist (Astrological Sign: unidentified); head of dog, inscribed CAPUT CANIS (Constellation: Canis).
3) Sphaera Graeca:
Hind leg of bear, inscribed COLLUM URSE CUM PEDE SINISTRO (Constellation: Ursa Major); left hand of Castor, inscribed MANUS CASTORIS SINISTRA (Constellation: Gemini); body and foreleg of lion, inscribed RICTUS LEONIS (Constellation: Leo); stern of ship, inscribed MEDIUM NAVIS (Constellation: Argo Navis).

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Photography by Pixel Acuity, 2021