The Voynich Ninja

Hi,

Manuscript was done in early 1400s. What is the real life inspiration for the complex piping in many of the nymph illustrations. For example 77r? 
I assume a scribe did not invent those out of thin air. Did medieval bathhouses really have some kind of complex piping. I had impression it was just wooden pails and somebody carrying water around in buckets.

Nymphs are also often seen standing in some kind of clay/metal pipe funnels instead of wooden pails. Though I personally believe it's only because drawing feet sucks, especially on a such a tiny scale without getting bunch of bigfoots or frogfoots. Event seasoned artists struggle with feet

Some of the outlets on tubs can be compared to spouts of wells or fountains.

In fact most of the structures that have nymphs inside can be related to well imagery (look for Joseph in the Well, Fountain of Life etc). This is not a mainstream opinion though, I think most people like the idea of bathing and plumbing.

(28-04-2025, 08:19 PM)Koen G Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Some of the outlets on tubs can be compared to spouts of wells or fountains.

In fact most of the structures that have nymphs inside can be related to well imagery (look for Joseph in the Well, Fountain of Life etc). This is not a mainstream opinion though, I think most people like the idea of bathing and plumbing.

This is a fascinating perspective. The idea of well and fountain imagery fits nicely, especially with the spout-like outlets you mention. It makes me wonder if the nymphs could represent spirits of wells or some kind of water personifications. 

It reminds me of some folkloric traditions: for example, in my region, Catalonia, Spain, there is a figure called the Dona d’Aigua (“Water Woman”), a mythical spirit associated with natural springs and wells. This makes me wonder if the nymphs in the manuscript could represent something similar, spirits of water sources, fertility symbols, or guardians of wells.

Soooo cool!

(28-04-2025, 08:19 PM)Koen G Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Some of the outlets on tubs can be compared to spouts of wells or fountains.

It's hard to find good reference images but yes looks like medieval wells and spouts especially seem to have similar look to many details of the illustrations. Rainwater spouts might have been also used as a reference. Maybe author was not thinking bathing at all.

My opinion.
If you want tea, flowers need a bath.