10-02-2018, 07:49 AM
Quote:A very good point about the 10 o'clock.
I would suggest it is dangerous to fall into the mindset of "10 o'clock" and "clockwise movement", as those concepts would not be the default mindset in the mid-15th century - they're based on our understanding of time movement and clockfaces. Falling into this trap may limit our ability to understand the intentions behind the illustration.
High middle age clockfaces, usually limited to church or public buildings, showed a vast array of information. See this You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. from 1490 - time-telling is only a part of its function, the whole thing really acts as a state of the universe information desk.
The illustrator might have had a completely different paradigm in mind if there is a deliberate attempt to create text start markers. For example, the intention may be to mark the zodiac sign of the "birth" of the text.
Anyway, keep an open mind is my suggestion.