Alchemical Symbolism in the VMS

[Barbrey]

I also think there could almost be a “language” of pipe parts and the apparatus to which the nymphs are attached.

Yes, there is, for example, a work that illustrates the sequence of the alchemical process in the margin of the text. Something like this could be seen as a template for the imagery in the VMS, which shows nymphs, tubes, basins and various "accessories" instead of containers, liquids and alchemical apparatus. As a language of its own, so to speak.

Anonymous, Ymage de vie, plus miscellaneous alchemical receipts, Late 15th century, Folio 9r
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Yes, nice. It’s a pity that Quire 13 is messed up. We might miss out on sequences. As it is, I wonder if a typology - grouping similar looking “vessels” and “pipes” together might be worthwhile. I just found another mermaid tail/fish you can barely see, it’s mixed up with blue. So that’s three of them, very possibly signifying the same thing.