Four Gospels, in Armenian, written by the scribe Azariay at the Church of All Saviour’s, Isfahan, richly illuminated manuscript on glazed paper [Isfahan, 1695]

314 leaves (plus 4 endleaves at front and same at back), 210mm. by 145mm., wanting a leaf from the seventh quire, else apparently complete, collation: i8, ii10, iii12, iv14, v10, vi14, vii11 (iv wanting), viii14, ix8, x14, xi10, xii14, xiii10, xiv12, xv10, xvi14, xvii10, xviii14, xix10, xx14, xxi10, xxii6, xxiii10, xxiv14, xxv10, xxvi14, xxvii10, xxviii7 (last a cancelled blank), foliated in modern pencil after Eusebian Canon Table (followed here), single column, 21 lines in bolorgir script in black ink set within vertical lines of gold, black and red, concordance numbers in lower borders, initials in blue and gold, chapter headings in red and gold, capitals opening each chapter formed from brightly coloured birds outlined in gold, with floral cartouches, birds or saints in borders (again in bright colours and outlined in gold), the Eusebian letter with portraits of Eusebian and Carpianus holding scrolls, eight full-page Canon Tables with elaborately illuminated headbands and strapwork, with palm trees, birds (storks, peacocks, magpies and cockerels), lions and monkeys with candles, four full-page illuminated headpieces for the beginning of each Gospel in foliate and bird designs and incorporating the evangelists’ symbols, twelve full-page miniatures of the Evangelists and with scenes from the life of Christ, some slight stains and small scuffs to gold in places, but overall a bright and clean manuscript in excellent condition, elaborately tooled contemporary calf over wooden boards with fold-over flap (stamped on front with Crucifixion within a sun with 4 more suns in corners, on back with Virgin and Child within a mandorla edged by small suns, all within floral roll-stamped borders), holes in both boards from metal fittings (now absent)

(1) Written by the scribe Azariay, in 1144 of the Armenian era (ie. 1695 AD.) in the city of Shosh (now Isfahan) in the canton of Juxay (Julfa) at the church of St. Saviour’s during the reign of Catholicos Ter Nahapet and King Shah Husayn of Persia: colophon on fol.312r.

(2) Geoffrey Bassett, Christmas present from J. Bassett in 1880: his inscription on front endleaf noting that it was obtained from an Armenian priest in Hamadon, Persia, in 1879.

(3) Robert Walsingham Martin, his sale at Parke Bernet, New York, November 1953; and sold again at Parke Bernet in 1963.

(4) Hazarian collection, their no.64; sold in our rooms, 26 November 1985, lot 153, to the father of the present consigner.

text and illumination

This is an exquisite example of an Armenian Gospel Book in glitteringly fresh condition. The text comprises the Four Gospels, each with a preface and table of contents. The whole is preceded by the Eusebian Letter and Canon Tables. The miniatures are fresh with vivid colours. The significant miniatures comprise: (i) fol.1v, the Annunciation to the Virgin; (ii) fol.2r, the Adoration of the Magi in a yellow rocky landscape; (iii) fol.3v, Presentation in the Temple; (iv) fol.4r, the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist; (v) fol.5v, the Transfiguration; (vi) fol.6r, the Raising of Lazarus; (vii) fol. 7v, the Entry into Jerusalem; (viii) fol.8r, Christ washing the apostles’ feet; (ix) fol. 21v, Matthew in his study with a scroll; (x) fol. 104v, Mark in a garden, reading; (xi) fol. 163v, Luke in a garden; (xii) fol. 250v, John reading before a city.