[ARMENIAN MANUSCRIPT.] -- Four Gospels. Late 17th/early 18th century.
[ARMENIAN MANUSCRIPT.] -- Four Gospels. Late 17th/early 18th century.

Details
[ARMENIAN MANUSCRIPT.] -- Four Gospels. Late 17th/early 18th century.

270 x 200 mm. MANUSCRIPT ON PAPER. 251 leaves, including 3-leaf table at beginning. Written in red and black in a regular bolorgir hand, FOUR DECORATIVE HEADPIECES, in the form of cusped spandrels patterned with coiling tendrils and stylized foliage, FOUR FULL-PAGE EVANGELIST PORTRAITS, the text with numerous small decorations of birds, flowers, figures of Saints and Christ, some capital letters illuminated. (Defective in places.) 17th-century calf mounted with mother-of-pearl plaques, gilt-metal and bead necklace, a metal-thread embroidered floral panel, coins, a gilt-metal cross, cameos and earrings; laid in at intervals are embroidered tissues (some binding elements loose or missing, some wear to the leather). Provenance: purchased from Emil Offenbacher, 23 February 1950.

A MOST UNIQUE BINDING, suggesting that it was created as a wedding gift.

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