MS M.785, fol. 7r

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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 Taurus in three zones:
1) Sphaera Persica:
Nude man, inscribed VIR NUDUS MAN CLAUEM TENENS, with key in left hand, in sailing ship, with nude woman on hull (Astrological Sign: Navis Exima); Cynocephalus, inscribed DIMIDIUM KINOKEFALI CLAUEM ET SPICULA MANU SINISTRA GERENS DEXTERA LANCEAM, as half figure, with spear in right hand and with key in left hand, beside tree (Astrological Sign: Cynocephalus).
2) Sphaera Indica:
Hybrid man with goat's body, inscribed MEDIETAS HOMO. MEDIETAS AERIS (sic), holding sheaf of grain in left hand, beside female centaur, inscribed VXOR EIUS MEDIETATE TAURO SIMILIS ARANS CUM BOBET (sic), wearing veil, guiding plow pulled by two yoked oxen (Astrological Sign: Hybrid Figure).
3) Sphaera Graeca:
Man, inscribed FORMA DISCEPTI CORPORIS, holding rod in right hand (Astrological Sign: unidentified); leg of Perseus, inscribed PERSEI GENU (Constellation: Perseus); forequarters of bull, inscribed DORSUM TAURI (Constellation: Taurus); stream of water, inscribed FLUUIUS (Constellation: Eridanus).

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Photography by Pixel Acuity, 2021