ARMENIA. - Lot 122

ARMENIA. Աստուածաշունչ [BIBLE]. Venice, Imprimerie Antonio Bortoli, 1733. Small folio 1256 pp. and 1280 pp. In a very fine contemporary Armenian binding. Ornate red morocco, 5-rib spine, gilt fillets and fleurons, boards decorated with a double gilt frieze with scrolls, gilt fleurons in spandrels, geometrical motifs of cold fillets, large central gilt iron with a Christ surrounded by scrolls, chased and gilt edges, remnants of metal clasps (binding as is, the four preliminary leaves and the engraved title page lacking, as well as pp.1-8, 1265-1280, tear with small loss at lower margin of pp. 931-2, top board detached). According to the preface, this edition of the Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, was carefully organized and first printed in 1666 under the authority of His Holiness Jacob, Catholicos of Armenia, and edited by the priest Voskan. Designed according to Latin traditions, it was intended to harmonize the Holy Scriptures. The present reprint was produced on high-quality paper, with refined illustrations and elegant typography, thanks to the efforts of Mekhitar Vardapet of Sebaste, known as Abba Père. This copy features numerous woodcut vignettes and is adorned with historiated lettrines, entablatures and culs-de-lampe, all in black.