(Q23037)
Statements
1400-1499
15. century
1400Gregorian
1499Gregorian
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Extent: 92 x 124 mm; parchment
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Here, the complete and undivided unity of winged Hermaphrodite is represented by a single crown and unified body. Hermaphrodite stands on two mounds above the mercurial dragon, and holds a single coiled snake representing unity born of the triad in his/her right hand and a chalice with three serpents representing the three realms of nature with his/her left. Because these symbols were...
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Crowned Hermaphrodite (Androgyne or Rebis)
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Here, Philosophical Mercury, representing the female principle, stands between two trees whose trunks are set with ten golden eagles, representing the highest number of distillations. The trees entwine above her head to encapsulate the sun and the moon, signifying her dual nature. Because these symbols were generally used by alchemical writers and because there is no surviving text, it is...
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Philosophical Mercury (Mercurius)
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Alchemy, a forerunner of modern science, sought to discern the spiritual and temporal nature of reality, its structure, laws, and functions through the physical properties of substances. Its language and method employed cryptic symbolism to convey the relationships between the physical and metaphysical worlds. These miniatures are typical examples of alchemical art.
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Script: Rotunda
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Contributor: David Kalish
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Cataloger: Dot Porter
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Funder: Council on Library and Information Resources
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4 December 2023
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4 December 2023
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