MS M.785, fol. 29v

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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
Page description: 

Second Decanus of Aquarius in three zones:
1) Sphaera Persica:
Bridled horse led by man, inscribed VIR MANU DEXTRA TRAHENS EQUUM IN SINISTRA TENES ARCUM, holding bow in left hand, standing on back of pig with two serpents in mouth (Astrological Sign: unidentified); head of gull, inscribed ALA MERGI CUM CAPITE (Constellation: Cygnus ?); torso and head of centaur, inscribed MEDIETAS CENTAURI (Constellation: Centaurus).
2) Sphaera Indica:
Hybrid man, inscribed VIR FORMA AC VULTU ETHIOPIS IN MANU ARCUM ET SPICULA GESTANS, with head of ass (?), holding bow and arrow, beside four vessels and seventeen rocks (gems), inscribed LAPIS PRECIOSUS (Astrological Sign: Hybrid Figure).
3) Sphaera Graeca:
Head and forequarters of bear, inscribed ANTERIOR PARS URSE MINORIS (Constellation: Ursa Minor); right half of body of Cepheus, inscribed COXA ET CRUS CEPHEI (Constellation: Cepheus); torso and right arm and leg of Aquarius, inscribed HUMERUS DEXTER AQUARII, pouring water from pitcher (Constellation: Aquarius); fish head, inscribed CAPUT PISCIS (Constellation: Piscis Austrinus).

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Photography by Pixel Acuity, 2021