Bamberger Psalter (Einband), Vorderseite

The front cover features Jesus seated on a rainbow throne after his ascension to Heaven
inside a mandorla, an almond-shaped, halo-like frame that typically encircles Christ in traditional
Christin Art. He raises his right hand in the gesture of the Hand of God (Manus Dei), a sign of
benediction, presumably in this case over the readers of the Psalter as they open the book.
Top left and right corners: Two angels fill the upper two corners of the front cover. They are
most likely seraphim or cherubim, angels of the highest order, because they each have three pairs
of brightly-colored wings (six total).
Bottom left and right corners: Archangels Michael and Gabriel guard the bottom two corners.
Michael, on the left, stabs a dragon at his foot with a lance. Gabriel, on the right, raises an orb in
his right hand and a lily scepter in his left.

The traditional symbols of the four Evangelists – Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John – are enclosed in four circles that surround Christ in a cross-like
configuration.