Armenian illuminated Gospel with a silver binding

An Armenian illuminated Gospel with a lavish silver binding, kept in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The manuscript unites the traditions of book art and goldsmithing: miniatures on parchment are combined with gilded decoration and fine ornament. The author of the Gospel is Astvatsatur Shahamir.

In the photograph the book is closed. Visible are the dark green velvet spine with gold-coloured metal ornaments and red stones, and the metal front cover with a relief scene framed by coloured stones.