I agree with Rene that the MS is still too well-planned to have just been a con man's prop. Why would you need 100+ plant pages? Why the additional small plant images, and why the foldouts to accommodate them? Why the rosettes page, what's the added benefit?
IF this was made as a con artist's prop, then he must have had a very specific target and purpose in mind. But in that case, the manuscript's content is well considered and far from random. The specific needs of the high-value target must have influenced the way it is.
Everything considered, I still think this was made for the original makers or their own community (professional, cultural or monastic).
IF this was made as a con artist's prop, then he must have had a very specific target and purpose in mind. But in that case, the manuscript's content is well considered and far from random. The specific needs of the high-value target must have influenced the way it is.
Everything considered, I still think this was made for the original makers or their own community (professional, cultural or monastic).