f22v - menorah?

[Koen G]

So I was looking through early manuscripts while researching a blog post, and I came across an image of a lamp which subconsciously reminded me of a VM plant. Upon going through them, I was surprised to see that it was not f22v, but rather its reverse, f22r. Quite a coincidence to have two candelabra-like plants on the same folio.

Anyway, this one stood out to me because of the "umbrella" shape halfway down the shaft. Also, the cup-shape of the lamps themselves, and the general layout of the branches is reflected in the plant.

The image is from the Augustine Gospels, (Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, Lib. MS. 286) "an illuminated Gospel Book which probably dates from the 6th century. It is traditionally considered to be one of the volumes brought by St. Augustine of Canterbury to England in 587. The book was probably given to St. Augustine by the pope St. Gregory the First." (Wiki)

The MS is not generous with superfluous decorations, so my guess is that the "umbrella" had some function, I don't know what it is though.

   

The scene itself is Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, "Iesus lauit pedes discipulorum".