A 15th-century Alchemical image which includes 4 TdM atouts - all in one

kenji

Hello all:)

The image below is from an alchemical manuscript in the British Library (Harley 2407),
which BL dates to the second half of the 15th century.
http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/record.asp?MSID=3670

Quite astonishingly, we can find the features of four TdM atouts - 17, 18, 19 and 20 - all in this single image.

I have made some pics for comparison between this and the 4 TdM atouts.
I hope you will find them interesting.


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kenji

20 LE JUGEMENT

The TOAD in the alchemical image corresponds to the third person showing his back in TdM.
And the cross on the banner attached to the trumpet in TdM might represent the sun in the alchemical image.


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The two DRAGONS in the alchemical image may have something to do with the two ANGELS in old hand-painted cards such as those of Visconti-Sforza and 'Charles VI'.

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kenji

19 LE SOLEIL


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In 17th-century decks the figure on the right has breasts while the other person not, as in the alchemical image.

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Abrac

Kenji that's an awesome find! Thanks for sharing. :)
 

kenji

18 LA LUNE

Perhaps the two DRAGONS were transformed into the two BEASTS in TdM, in place of the human figures.
And just compare the TOAD on the water in the alchemical image with the CRAYFISH in TdM...



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kenji

17 LESTOILLE

Both of the female figures (on or near the water) are taking almost the same posture.
And the two trees (and the bird on one of them) in TdM might be the traces of the dragons.


68fa7fc1e26c8827eb9f55f6919759b4.jpg

 

kenji

Later copies of the alchemical image in question


from Egerton 845 in BL
(the first half of the 16th century, according to BL)

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from Sloane 1171 in BL
(the second half of the 16th century, according to BL)

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from "Theatrum chemicum britannicum" by Elias Ashmole (1652)

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Poor Wandering One

Very interesting! That's a great find.
 

kenji

Kenji that's an awesome find! Thanks for sharing. :)

Hi Abrac! It has been a while. I am glad to hear from you and to know you found the images interesting:)