File:Manuscript on alchemical processes, by Raymundus Lullius Wellcome L0072781.jpg

Page 43 from the manuscript "Lullius, Raymundus" showing two dragons, joined tail to mouth to form a circle. The manuscript contains several full-page drawings of alchemical furnaces and apparatus etc, in addition to numerous smaller drawings of similar objects, some coloured, in the margins. The manuscript consists of various alchemical processes and receipts, written in French and Latin, by different hands.

Purchased at Sotheby's 12/5/1914, Lot 15. 34197

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973): Ymage de vie. Replication. Alchemical processes and receipts, in French and Latin. The upper part of fol. lvi has been cut away, some corners and margins frayed. Written in a semi-current French gothic hand 27 lines to a page: initials, headings and paragraph marks in red. Ff. 68-72, 74-77, are by two other contemporary hands. Ff. 62v [lvii]-65v, contain full-page wash drawings, partly coloured, of alchemical furnaces, apparatus, etc.: there are also numerous smaller drawings of similar objects, some coloured, in the margins of the main work. On fol. 43 is symbolic drawing of two green dragons in combat inscribed 'Occido et viuere facio', and on the verso of the same leaf, a full-page emblematic picture, wiht inscription 'Lors fut le roy esleue de Couronne des couronnel[s]'. Fol. 1[i] (red) cy commence le liure appelle ymage de vie/trait des secrez des philosophes sur la fleur dalkemie. /Cest assauoir sur le elixir de la grant/medecine des philosophes... 58[liii], line 2 ...Et/par ainsin auras tu escheue/tout le mistere. Du quel est par/fait et accompli le liure appelle/ymage de vie, en accomplissent la/pure medecine de la precieuse/pierre. Loue soit dieu le/quel nous doint longuement viure/et veille mener toutes noz euurez/a bonne fin. amen. 58[liii]v (red) Replication de la substance vraye parlent de la trans/mutation de la pierre et de lesperit, et auec/des couleurs fixez. /Or doncques Je te dire en Replication les parolez des theroques auec la practique de/cest liure dessus dit... 60[lv] Et aussi tu trouueras toute la commix/tion vraye par la table en la figure/que dessus est escripte. deo gratias. [This 'figure' has not been given.] 60[lv]v-62[lvii] Blank. 62[lvii]v-65[lx]v Figures of alchemical apparatus. 68[lxii]-72[lxvii]v 'Du premier levain', and other receipts and processes, by a different hand. Fol. 73 [lxviii] Blank. Ff. 74[lxix]-77[lxxv]v Similar receipts, etc., in Latin by another hand. A transcript [19th cent.] of the beginning of the first work (12 ll.) is inserted.

Closed stores WMS 4 MS.446

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