Monastery of Narek (Modern day southern part of Lake Van, Turkey), 1405. 4to. Binding measuring 180 mm x 145 mm. Strictly contemporary full calf binding over wooden boards. Extraordinarily, this manuscript has been preserved in its first binding, which was made by Dom Sarkis (Sergius), priest from Sebaste [as stated on colophon]. The more than 600 year old binding is very worn, especially back board and spine. It is missing some of the leather spine and the lower part (ab. 1/5) of the back board (both wood and leather on recto). Some small holes to front board, from ties and presumably some kind of ornamentation. Quite magnificently, the binding has never been exposed to restorations of any kind, and we have left it as it is, providing us full view of the cloth underneth the leather spine, the original stiching and the original capital cords, and the red silk between the wooden board and the leather. Remains of one tie to inside of back board. The last portion of leaves is quite worn at the bottom, where the binding has not been able to protect it due to the missing lower part of the back board. The leaves here at the end are curled, affecting script on the last ab. eight leaves. The damage to the leaves is marginal on the remaining portion of leaves at the end and does not affect the script. Apart from that, the leaves are quite worn in places and the book has evidently been well used and read. The first three leaves have extensive worming, causing loss of text, and a number of leaves towards the middle and end of the block have old re-enforcements to inner margins (an old kind of paper pulp). The block is worn at extremities, sometimes causing loss to marginal illustrations/notes. Some of the leaves are loose. The splendid full-page illuminations are somewhat worn.363 ff. Leaves measuring 180 x140 mm. Written space 130 x 90 mm. 17 lines in double colums, in Bologir script. Text:1. Gospel according to St. Mathew. 106 ff. Lacking first leaves of genealogy of Jesus. 2. Gospel according to St. Mark. 67 ff.3. Gospel according to St. Luke. 109 ff.4. Gospel according to St. John. 81 ff.Three illuminated title-pages (lacking the first for the gospel of St. Mathew) and three half-page headpieces and zoomorphic initials and opening lines of text.The manuscript was written for Taddeus the Monk, Priest and Philosopher, by Stephanos the Monk (Birth name Izit.), son of Amirbek and Turmeled, bother to Thoma Priest, Lazarus and Stephanos. Stephanos (Izit) is definitely the scribe and with all probability also the illuminator. The manuscript was donated by Taddeus, son of Khnkik and Avta, grandson to Khaceres and Shamam, brother to Stephanos, Astvazatur, Martiros, Tata, Elkhatun, Markhatun, Mama Tikin Zmrukht (Emerald), to the Religious order of the Church of Saint Teothokos, Dom Hussik, Monastery of Narek, near Lake Van (Prior: Lazar the Monk). [FULL TRANSCRIPTION IN ARMENIAN AND TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH OF ALL FOUR COLOPHONS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST].
