Alchemical Symbolism in the VMS

[MarcoP]

Trying to get back to alchemy. The Florence MS Ashburnham 1166 lead me to You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., by Giovanni Carbonelli, Giovanni, 1925


The book discusses several alchemical manuscripts, but mostly Ashb. 1166 and You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., created in Milan, 1461, the Oldani or Oldanis family were early owners (I hope the link works).


I haven’t looked much into it, but Carbonelli points out that the MS is partially enciphered with a simple substitution.
I understand the text on this emblem at f.22r reads “Atans a gratia”, possibly a mix of French and Italian/Latin meaning “I tend towards grace” (“tendo alla grazia” in modern Italian). Carbonelli says that the null characters are inserted at the start and end of words (this is the case with the null before A at the top of the emblem).

Some of the images are interesting, e.g. the alchemical ovens with swallowtail merlons.