VMs (f80v) critter identified

[-JKP-]

When I blogged about the VMS curled-up critter, I didn't post all my research because there are many loose ends.

For example, I couldn't find the source of numerous images (like a stained glass image of a lamb curled up like a cat with paw-like hooves) that MIGHT be from a cathedral in France, but I'm not sure.

Also, I was HOPING to figure out when the prone-position Agnus Dei came on the scene, but it hasn't been easy. I am still looking. It sometimes takes years to chase down a detail like this.

Here are two more examples of prone lambs, one painted on a pillar, the other carved out of wood:

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There is one in Notre Dame de Bellecombe.

This one is not prone, but it has streams of water and a stream of blood. Streams of water coming out of the base is a very old pagan theme:


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I don't have enough examples to know for sure, but the earlier curled up or prone lambs SEEM to be more common in France:

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However, I found this German example in a drawing style similar to the VMS in Donaueschingen 437 from the later 15th century:



so they are not all from France.


I don't know the earliest dates of sleeping/prone examples yet. I do know it's hard to find them earlier than c. 1450.

The sacrificial lamb is much older.


[P.S., since the last forum update, the editor is adding a lot of extra carriage returns and I can't delete them even in the code editor.]