L11241

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Lot 33
  • 33

Gospel Book, in Armenian, illuminated manuscript on vellum [Armenia, seventeenth century (perhaps 1671)]

Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
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Description

  • Vellum
271 leaves, 250mm. by 175mm., wanting a single leaf from the first and last quires, and perhaps some leaves from fifth quire, else complete, collation: i11 (vii wanting), ii-iv12, v17 (ix-xiii a separate quire bound within the main), vi-xxiii12, xxiv7 (last wanting), double column, 28 lines in black ink in a fine bolorgir script, capitals and rubrics in red, numerous small initials or small miniatures in margins in shape of coloured foliage on gold grounds (39), ornamental coloured cartouches (86), brightly coloured birds (140) or people (7), major books beginning with a single-column headband of scrolling coloured foliage within an architectural frame heightened with white penwork on gold ground and edged in gold (34), the volume beginning with a similar headband half-page in height filled with multi-coloured geometric forms on gold grounds within a pink frame with birds at its apex (p.5), and above a single line of initials in the shape of birds, a miniature of an Evangelist dressed as an Eastern bishop holding his text and blessing (p.4), first few leaves with areas of border cut away, last leaves cockled, single leaf (pp.259-60) roughly cut out and loose in book, some small smudges and scuffs, else good condition, contemporary blind-stamped brown leather over pasteboards (slightly scuffed, tear at top of spine), embroidered cloth case