The Archangel Gabriel. stately on the left, advances upon Mary with wings unfurled. With his right hand, extended , he blesses her, whilst in the other hand he holds an open scroll, where the word he spoke to her are written in capitala: ' Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee'. Facing him, seated on a majestic throne, Mary turns her head to the Archangel. In her left hand she holds the tools with which she spins the purple thread of the temple curtain, the spindle and the yarn. Her reply to Gabriel is witten: ' Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word'.