VMs: Nymphology

[Koontz John E <John.Koontz@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I was tempted to term the study of the Voynichian nymphs nymphomania, but
I suppose that might lead to confusion.

On what basis are students of nymphology distinguishing the sex of the
nymphs?  I don't think we can count on visible genitalia.  I think this
issue would be relevant to the possibility of dating the ms. through the
hairstyle and limited acoutrement of the nymphs.  But to some extent the
process might be adaptive, as the date might clarify the sex implied by
the treatment of the hair.  It occurred to me that while most nymphs have
hair longer than, say, Bruce Willis, they have "breasts" they have
significantly varying lengths of it (or patterns of dressing it).  To what
extent might the period depiction of the pectoral region of a rotund male
falsely suggest breasts to a modern?

Also, what are the little ball or ring and projection items some of the
nymphs are holding?  They look a bit like the orbs in the regalia of
European kings.  I've seen passing references to them in old
correspondence but haven't tried to track them down, since the terminology
is somewhat vague in the references and in my mind.  Searching for
thingummy isn't especially helpful!

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