A 14th-Century Silver Armenian Gospel

The picture shows the cover of a 14th-century silver Armenian Gospel, an exceptional masterpiece of medieval Armenian sacred art.

In the centre of the golden-coloured cover is a relief of the Nativity: the Mother of God lying down, the Child in the manger, angels above, and below, the bathing of the Child and sheep. Four saints are depicted in the corners, and floral ornament and an Armenian inscription run along the borders. The clasps of the cover are visible on the left.

Gospels like this were used during church services and were kept as objects of great spiritual and cultural value.