Bodleian Library
Univertiy of Oxford Manuscripts and Archives at Oxford University
  • Home
  • About
  • Help

Help with advanced searching

George Ripley (attrib.) — 16th century, end; English

MS. Ash. Rolls 52

Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford

Details

This item is described in 1 online catalogue.?

For the main catalogue entry, see: Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries

Description

From Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries

This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries.

Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries contains descriptions of all known Western medieval manuscripts held in the Bodleian Libraries, and of medieval manuscripts in selected Oxford colleges. Learn more.

Title

George Ripley (attrib.) — 16th century, end; English

Shelfmark

MS. Ash. Rolls 52

Place of origin

English

Date

16th century, end

Language

English

Latin

Contents

George Ripley (attrib.) Alchemical roll

Form

roll

Support

paper

Decoration

Good miniatures (coloured drawings), copies of a MS. of 15th century. (Pächt and Alexander iii. 1209) The process for preparing the philosopher's stone in four scenes: (1) alchemist with hermetic vessel with eight roundels depicting stages in the alchemical process; (2) 'philosophical tree' and grape vine planted in the centre of a heptagonal basin; the basin is surmounted by parapets upon which seven human figures examine contents of beakers which they hold; this is supported by a column rising from a lower square pool, the front of which is decorated with a toad-spewing griffin; nude male and female figures ascend and descend the 'tree' or simply stand in water; (3) two lions flanking the mouth of a furnace; sun; bird with the head of an old man crowned and bearded, standing on a globe; (4) sunburst design with three linked coloured circles; crescent moon, held in the jaws of a dragon, perched on a winged globe; the dragon's blood descending to three circles at the bottom of the globe; text flanked by two human figures, a king and a commoner, with staffs.

View full record in Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries

See this item

Requesting

For information on how to request this item, see Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries.

Viewing

This item is available to view online:

  • Digital Bodleian (10 images from 35mm slides)

Connections

People associated with this object

  • Ripley, George, -1490?

View full record

See this itemFind out how to request this item

View online
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford

On this page

  • Overview
  • Description from Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries
  • See this item
  • Connections
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Contact

© Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford 2025

  • Mellon Foundation
  • Bodleian Libraries, Univertiy of Oxford
We use cookies to help give you the best experience on our website. By continuing without changing your cookie settings, we assume you agree to this. Please read our cookie policy to find out more. Cookie Policy