Signature y7r
Folio 77v, Quire y
British Library, London — C.60.o.12
LOW Unverified
Alchemical Analysis
Fons Heptagonis: The Seven Metals
The illustration of the heptagonal fountain -- seven-sided, with seven angles -- is labeled by Hand B with the alchemical sign of a different element at each angle. The seven metals correspond to the seven classical planets: gold/Sun, silver/Moon, mercury/Mercury, copper/Venus, iron/Mars, tin/Jupiter, lead/Saturn. This systematic labeling transforms the decorative fountain into a diagram of the complete alchemical cosmos, with each planetary metal occupying its proper position. The annotator labels the fountain 'frogg green' (in English, confirming his nationality), apparently describing the color of the ink or the patina.
Element: All seven planetary metals
Process: Complete cosmological mapping of the alchemical system
Framework: d'Espagnet: planetary-metal correspondence system
Russell, p. 136
LLM-assisted synthesis from Russell
Alchemical Symbols Present
| Symbol | Metal | Planet | Gender | Hand | Conf. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinnabar | Mercuric Sulphide | Hand B | MEDIUM | ||
| Mercury | Quicksilver (Hydrargyrum) | Mercury | hermaphroditic | Hand B | MEDIUM |
Annotations
tively
foregrounded by the alchemical annotator, particularly the figure of Jupiter, suggest that he
was applying an alchemical schema drawing upon that of Jean D’Espagnet (1564-1637).
Though working in the field of natural philosophy, rather than gathering material for the
stage, this second annotator was both cultivating his or her perceptiveness for alchemical
symbolism (ingegno) and presumably gathering information and materials to inform
laboratory practice (inventio).
Detail, ...
Russell, PhD Thesis, p. 136 (Ch. 6)