Gospel book, in Classical Armenian, illuminated manuscript on rolled paper

286 leaves, one each in gatherings ix and xxiv cancelled (the latter most probably as an unwanted blank as the text ends the Gospel of John in the second column on the last page), 210mm. by 158mm., collation: i-viii^{12, ix11 (vi cancelled), x-xxiii12, xxiv (xii cancelled), written space 140mm. by 100mm., double column, 22-23 lines in black ink in Bolorgir, initial letters in red, sections divisions marked by} numerous coloured penwork illustrations in borders (including cartouches, 5 tabernacles, 1 crucifix, 96 birds, 12 human-headed drollery animals, 3 human figures, 3 saints, an angel, and Christ carrying the Cross), all four Gospels opening with a full page miniature of the evangelist (some retouching to some, see below), and facing an interlacing decorative panel above the opening of the text, with script is formed from the attribute of the evangelist and a number of birds, above 4 lines of script in blue or red, some slight water damage to top of volume, and two gatherings loose, but overall in good condition, impressive contemporary binding of dark leather over pasteboards, with flap, with blind-tooled ropework designs, with later overlaid silver corner pieces, a central boss and a large cross with inset agates and a rock crystal, and three silver ended clasps (additions perhaps eighteenth century), original vellum endleaves recovered from an earlier two column Armenian manuscript (probably twelfth-century) with rust stains and small holes, but quite legible, contemporary fabric pastedowns, some damage to spine

From an Armenian family resident in America, and believed to have been in the possession of the family for a number of generations.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This is a fine example of seventeenth-century Armenian book production. The original and unrestored binding with its blind-tooled knotwork designs is notably close to that of another Gospel book of the same date (now in the Chester Beatty collection, Dublin, MS. 574; catalogued by Sirarpie der Nesessian, 1958, i: 81-6, with pl. at ii: 63), and like other examples (see ibid. MS. 567), was enhanced with silverwork and semi-precious stones in the century or so after it was made. The figures with their pale pink oval faces and long flat-ended noses are excellent examples of Armenian art of the period, and the wealth of marginal characters amongst the division-markers adds charm to the volume. The miniatures are as follows: (1) folio 3v, St. Matthew seated, 134mm. by 95mm., holding his gospel, while both he and the angel gesture to the beginning of the text on the next page which begins with a human figure with a halo, (2) folio 87v, St. Mark seated (perhaps with face and halo repainted), pointing at his text, which begins with two lions attached by their tails and holding a book between them, (3) folio 137v, St. Luke seated (with some slight scuffing to image, and face and halo probably repainted), pointing to his text, which begins with a long bodied blue bull with pink wings, holding a book, (4) folio 232v, St. John standing before a young scribe dictating his text (scribe's face and halo probably repainted), the text opposite beginning with a detailed bird holding a book in its beak (with some loss to wings).