File:Maastricht Book of Hours, BL Stowe MS17 f052v-f53r.png

English: Two adjacent folios (pages) of the Maastricht Book of Hours (BL Stowe MS17), an illuminated manuscript mainly known for its lively depictions of animals and half-animals. The book of hours was probably made for an aristocratic lady in the Liège-Maastricht area in the first quarter of the 14th century. In the 18th century it was owned by the 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, who in 1849 sold it to Lord Ashburham. In 1883 it was purchased by the British Library as part of the Stowe collection. Folios f18r up to f131r constitute the Little Office of Our Lady, also known as Hours of the Virgin. Each of the eight sections begins with a full-page miniature on the left (verso) and a large decorated initial on the right hand page (recto), both with scenes from the Passion of Jesus Christ. At the bottom of the recto page is always a decorated border with floral motives supporting human figures or (here) animals fighting. Shown here are the two initial pages of the lauds section: f52v shows the capture of Jesus Christ, and f53r the mocking of Christ.