Lot 100
100
[ARMENIAN MANUSCRIPT] FOUR GOSPELS, Armenian, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT, Armenia, 1651, small 4°, 252 leaves, 12 full-page miniatures (8 from the life of Christ and 4 portraying the Evangelists) and 14 pages of coloured decoration (tables, calendars and headings, with ornate historiated arches and columns), marginal decorations throughout, 17th century leather, with metal corner-pieces and central crucifix on upper cover (worn, lacking some leaves, some staining and marginal fraying throughout, numerous repairs, one miniature heavily rubbed and other rubbing and wear). Sold not subject to return.
[ARMENIAN MANUSCRIPT] FOUR GOSPELS, Armenian, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT, Armenia, 1651, small 4°, 252 leaves, 12 full-page miniatures (8 from the life of Christ and 4 portraying the Evangelists) and 14 pages of coloured decoration (tables, calendars and headings, with ornate historiated arches and columns), marginal decorations throughout, 17th century leather, with metal corner-pieces and central crucifix on upper cover (worn, lacking some leaves, some staining and marginal fraying throughout, numerous repairs, one miniature heavily rubbed and other rubbing and wear). Sold not subject to return.

Details
[ARMENIAN MANUSCRIPT] FOUR GOSPELS, Armenian, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT, Armenia, 1651, small 4°, 252 leaves, 12 full-page miniatures (8 from the life of Christ and 4 portraying the Evangelists) and 14 pages of coloured decoration (tables, calendars and headings, with ornate historiated arches and columns), marginal decorations throughout, 17th century leather, with metal corner-pieces and central crucifix on upper cover (worn, lacking some leaves, some staining and marginal fraying throughout, numerous repairs, one miniature heavily rubbed and other rubbing and wear). Sold not subject to return.
Provenance
Colophon records a man by the name of Gharibjan had this manuscript of the Holy Gospels written as a menorial for himself, his wife, his children and other relatives, in the year of the Armenian era 1100 (A.D. 1651), during the reign of the Shah Abbas. "Bought 1731 in the reign of Shah Abbas" inscription on upper margin of final leaf of text. In 1831 it belonged to the priest Hohannes (John) who lives (from inscription on fol. 1r).

Lot Essay

The subjects of the full-page miniatures are: The Annunciation, The Adoration of the Magi, The Presentation of Christ, The Baptism of Christ, The Crucifixion, The Entombment, The Cross with Trumpeting Angels, The Last Judgement (Weighing of the Souls); and portraits of the Four Evangelists (each facing the opening of his respective Gospel).

More from PRINTED BOOKS

View All
View All