GOSPEL BINDING

H 175mm / L 125 mm

Silversmith Grigor Chahbaz, from the city of Caesarea, worked on this embossed, chiselled binding. It contained a Gospel book which has disappeared.
Framed with plant motifs and tracery, the 12-line inscription on the spine above the three apostles, probably Abraham, P’arês and Naasovn (see La Magie de l’Ecrit, Somogy editions, p.237) translates as follows:
“”I had this gospel adorned in silver /With justly acquired revenues,/Made in the city of Caesarea, /by the unworthy hands of silversmith /Chahbaz M. Grigor, at the Armenian date of/1112 (1663)/to remember /always /our saviour Jesus Christ /and give thanks to him””
Which can be read thus:
Avetarans ays aria /l /halal entchis iwr /Zardaretsi artzats /Kesaria kaghakin /Anarjan dzerok /ar-tzatakortz Chahbaz-in /m. Grigor i tvin /hayots 1112

H 175mm / L 125 mm

Back cover
The Ascension.
Below, in a praying position, the Virgin is surrounded by the 12 apostles and is watching the Ascension of Christ. Above her, two angels introduce us to the Ascension: in a denticulated mandorla supported by four angels, the light shining from Christ’s mandorla reflects the light shining from the Virgin’s back.

H 175mm / L 125 mm

Front cover
The Birth of Christ and Adoration of the Magi, framed by symmetrical floral motifs.
The shrouded Virgin is seated, holding baby Jesus in her arms, swaddled in the oriental manner. She presents him to the three Kings who arrive with gifts. All three are wearing fur collars on their coats and are distinguishably by their different costumes and physiognomy. The youngest is beardless. Their crowns and the richly decorated vessels containing the gifts are also different. The folds of their robes are finely chiselled. Behind them, the animals in the cot warm the child with their breath.
Under the Star of Bethlehem, two angels on clouds hold up a phylactery on which is inscribed: “”Glory to the Highest””.
This beautiful composition, with its harmonious balance, enhanced by the floral frame, perfectly captures the solemnity of the Nativity.

H 175mm / L 125 mm

Reverse side of front cover

H 175mm / L 125 mm

Reverse side of back cover

Embossed and chiselled silver, 1663

GOSPEL BINDING

Embossed and chiselled silver, 1663