medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
It was, I believe, a social practice of the time to bring nourishment to
women who had just given birth and were awaiting their "churching"
ceremony. And it became common in Nativity scenes -- of Christ, the
Virgin Mary, John the Baptist -- to represent the new mother's "bedroom"
as a female space with this sort of social support group. If the
vessels that the women are bringing seem elaborate, that is probably
intended as a reflection of the status of the new mother.
Cheers,
Jim
>>> these two ladies on their way to the Nativity
> http://www.orthodoxy-icons.com/uploads/posts/2011-04/1304066209_city-nonresonant0020.jpg
>
>>> the spherical something on the right almost looks like some sort of
> metastasized censor (an essential tool at any Nativity, i suppose),
>> why not? but could also be a vessel for anything else …
> it's just so large... vessel for *what* else?
>
> my first thought was that she was bringing the water,
>
> http://www.orthodoxy-icons.com/uploads/posts/2011-04/1304066208_city-nonresonant0018.jpg
>
> but a sphere like that doesn't seem suitable
>
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