KAYSERI, TURKEY, EARLY 18TH CENTURY

A closely related bowl, very probably by the same maker as ours, was recently sold at Sotheby’s, London, 9 April 2008, lot 300. Although the Sotheby’s example was made of gold, the iconography around the cavetto was identical. At the top, is the conversion of Armenia to Christianity in 301/314. The image of the three figures represents St. Gregory the Enlightener in full Episcopal vestments, crozier in hand, blessing the kneeling Queen Ashkhen, behind whom stands King Tradat wearing a crown. The consecration scene is covered in light which emanates from the Holy Spirit above St. Gregory’s head. At the lower rim of the bowl is a depiction of the establishment of the Armenian alphabet in 406 by the priest Mesrop Mshtots. The figures represent the Armenian saints Catholicos Sahak Partev I (387-436, with Episcopal crozier), St. Mesrop vardapet Mashtots (362-440, with pen in hand and T-shaped doctoral staff) and St. Gregory of Narek (951-1003), the famous mystic poet and monk. Together with St. Nerses Shnorhali (1101-1173) these saints are collectively known as the ‘Translators’, and the Armenian Church celebrates their feast each year in October. A depiction of the ‘Translators’ can be found on an 18th century Kutahya tile now in the British Museum (inv. Nr 1932, 6-15.2, Vrej Nersessian, Treasures from the Art. 1700 Years of Armenian Christian Art, exhibition catalogue, London, 2001, no.66, p.148). The church depicted in the roundel is that of St. James’, Jerusalem, in the walled Armenian quarter of the Old City. The Sotheby’s example was thought to have been made for Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, Grigor Shirvantsi (also called Shghtayakir, ‘The Chainbearer’, 1715-49).