AUTHOR: T'OROS ROSLIN

LANGUAGE: CLASSICAL ARMENIAN

DATE: 1262

PAGE #: 833

REPRODUCTION DIMENSIONS: 11.75 X 8.75 IN

PRICE: $499.99

HISTORY: 

THIS ARMENIAN MANUSCRIPT WAS MADE IN 1262 BY T’OROS ROSLIN, THE CELEBRATED ILLUMINATOR, WHO EXTENDED THE ICONOGRAPHIC REPERTOIRE BY DEFINING A NARRATIVE GOSPEL CYCLE BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL PORTRAITS OF THE EVANGELISTS. THIS SIGNED MANUSCRIPT WAS CREATED AT THE SCRIPTORIUM OF HROMKLA (PRESENT-DAY RUM KALESI, TURKEY), WHICH BECAME THE LEADING ARTISTIC CENTER OF ARMENIAN CILICIA, UNDER THE RULE OF CATHOLICOS CONSTANTINE I (1221-67). AS AN EXTENSIVE COLOPHON STARTING ON FOLIO 406 VERSO EXPLAINS--- T’OROS CREATED THIS MANUSCRIPT UNDER COMMISSION FROM THE NEPHEW OF CONSTANTINE, A PRIEST ALSO NAMED T’OROS. IT IS ONE OF SEVEN KNOWN MANUSCRIPTS BEARING T’OROS ROSLIN’S SIGNATURE. IT IS ALSO THE MOST SUMPTUOUS OF THEM ALL, WITH 15 MINIATURES AND 67 SMALLER ILLUSTRATIONS. THE STYLE OF THE IMAGES SUGGESTS THAT T’OROS HAD SEVERAL ASSISTANTS HELPING WITH THE ILLUSTRATIONS, ALTHOUGH THE OVERALL QUALITY REMAINS EXTREMELY HIGH. THE MANUSCRIPT WAS LONG CHERISHED WITHIN THE ARMENIAN CHURCH. EVEN IN THE 17TH CENTURY, ITS ILLUMINATION SERVED AS A MODEL FOR ARMENIAN SCRIBES, PARTICULARLY BARGHAM AND HIS SON MIK’AYEL. THE INFLUENCE OF T’OROS IS SEEN IN JERUSALEM, ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE, NO. 3438, AND WASHINGTON DC, FREER GALLERY, MS. 36.15; IN THE LATTER MANUSCRIPT, MIK’AYEL EXPLICITLY REFERS TO “THE EXCELLENT SCRIBE T’OROS, SURNAMED ROSLIN.”

REPRODUCTION DETAILS: 

THE HARDCOVER BOOKS ARE MADE WITH TWO PIECES OF REAL WOOD ON THE INSIDE. THE LEATHER IS A 4 OZ COWHIDE, FROM A SMALL SUPPLIER IN NEW YORK STATE. THE GLUE WE USE TO ATTACH THE LEATHER TO THE WOOD IS MADE AT OUR FACILITY, AND IS A PERIOD CORRECT WHEAT GLUE. ALONG THE SPINE, WE USE A MODERN PERFECT BINDING, WITH MODERN GLUE, TO MAKE THE BINDING LAST LONGER. WE ALSO ADD THREE LAYERS OF MULL CLOTH TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE PERFECT BINDING, DRYING IN BETWEEN EACH LAYER, A TRADITIONAL WAY TO MAKE THE BINDING STIFF, STRONG, AND RESILIENT.

NOTE: ALL OF OUR FACSIMILES ARE MADE TO ORDER. PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS FOR NOTIFICATION OF SHIPMENT.