P_MSS511
Illuminated Armenian Gospels manuscript
One bound manuscript of the Four Gospels in Armenian containing the following:
1. A series of fourteen illuminated miniatures depicting the life of Christ (Annunciation, Nativity, Presentation in the Temple, Baptism, Transfiguration, Raising of Lazarus, Entry into Jerusalem, Washing the Feet of the Disciples, Crucifixion, Harrowing of Hell, Deposition and Burial, Women at the Empty Tomb, Ascension, and Pentecost).
2. Eusebius’s letter to Carpianus with depictions of Eusebius and Carpianus in the headpieces (2 fol.).
3. Canon tables (8 fol.).
4. Gospels with full-page miniatures of the evangelists, decorative headpieces, and the symbols of the evangelists depicted in zoomorphic script. Various marginal miniatures throughout the text of the gospels and the canon references beneath the text of the gospels.
5. Colophon
Several notes accompany the manuscript.
Note 1: “Presented to Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Maynard. July 6th, 1913 by Miss Charlotte E. Ely. As a fifth Wedding anniversary present. Anniversary May 25th, 1913. The Four Gospels.”
Note 2. “Manuscript copy of the Four Gospels in the classical Armenian language. There is no date, but the use of “vo,” the 24th letter of the alphabet, instead of O, the 37th letter, indicates that it may be as much as 300 years old.”
Note 3: “Manuscript copy of the Four Gospels in the Classical Armenian language. There is no date, but the use of certain letters indicate it may be as much as 300 years old. A gift to the Maynard in Bitlis, Turkey.”
Note 4: “Dear John, (12) ‘last page of gospel’ mentions scribe Łazar, space for sponsor’s name left blank. (10, 11) Łazar (read Ghazar not Ghadri) (12) Colophon. Sponsors named as Tе̄r T’oros and Ter Yovannе̄s /title Ter shows that they were priests/. Artist named as Martiros. Martiros of Khizan springs to mind (see Der Nersessian, Chester Beatty Cat., I pp. 79-81) but as hasty comparison of scenes from the Life of Christ on your photographs shows many differences with details (bears, knees, haloes, length of figures) on plates of Dublin MS no. 573 (B.N. II, plates 46, 47). But identification will need more time than Bud’s fleeting visit will allow. Probably all one can say at present is that the MS is Khizan School, lateish. Hoping to see you in September, yours ever, Charles.”
Note 5: “Following the story in John 81-11a at the end of the Testament there are missing leaves, and then the following begins with second line ‘of the gospel, Der Toros magdasin and Der Hovhannes Sassoontsi ---- ‘Decorator asks for prayers for God’s unworthy servant. Re last page of this old Armenian copy of the Four Gospels.”
Note 6: “This reading in pencil sems to be ‘w[?] (or vo)’ 24th letter of the Armenian alphabet ‘used instead of O’ 37th letter ‘show(ing?) no date but old.’ Say 300 years. Miss Charlotte Ely. Dec 13, 1947.”
Armenian
Bible
Gospels
Seventeenth century
634 unnumbered pages
27 cm
Illuminated manuscripts
manuscripts
miniatures (paintings)
Folio
MSS 511
The online edition of this book in the public domain, i.e., not protected by copyright, has been produced by Pitts Theology Library.
Emory University
Pitts Theology Library