Front cover
The Virgin and Child. Below, a commemorative inscription in Armenian on behalf of cantor Ohan.
This scene represents a glorification of the Virgin. In a very dense double floral frame, the crowned Virgin carrying the child seems to be taking flight, crushing the serpent of evil at her feet. Her hair and veil float in the wind while a double nimbus surrounds both the Virgin and the child . At her feet is a two-line inscription. The scribe mixed scripts and used the space available to him with irregular characters:
“”This silver-bound holy gospel is a memento for the Church of St. Nikoghos of Amasia (commissioned by) Sir Gêorg Tchikôghlanian, for the soul of the deceased cantor Ohannês.””
(Church of St. Nikoghos of Amasia, built in 1218. See Dictionary of Toponyms I, 210)

Back cover
The Crucifixion.
It is depicted in a rich double floral frame, coiling inside the outer frame.
The sun and the moon, symbols of light and darkness, are above the cross, which is flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John, and rests on Golgotha’s skull, where, according to tradition, Adam is buried.
The style and iconography of the crucifixion in this binding are reminiscent of the 1825 Gospel binding.
Varvara Basmadjian