The containers in the Pharma section

[Koen G]

Yeah, it was when researching the apocryphal "Infancy gospels" that I came to these frescos. They show some other resemblances to VM imagery as well, but I won't go into that here. Joseph is described as less eager than the other bachelors in these stories, which is why he is in the back here. He is ashamed of his old age (and indeed already has children of his own).

About the vessels... incense? 

In medieval art, elements from the various Apocrypha are often mixed. The gospel of Pseudo-Matthew is clearest in what happens around the rods in the temple:

And the rods having been handed over to the high priest, he offered a sacrifice to the Lord God, and inquired of the Lord. And the Lord said to him: Put all their rods into the holy of holies of God, and let them remain there, and order them to come to you on the morrow to get back their rods; and the man from the point of whose rod a dove shall come forth, and fly towards heaven, and in whose hand the rod, when given back, shall exhibit this sign, to him let Mary be delivered to be kept.

On the following day, then, all having assembled early, and an incense-offering having been made, the high priest went into the holy of holies, and brought forth the rods.

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