Pretoria's golden Gospel Book: a study of a luxury seventeenth-century Armenian manuscript

Abstract

A 17th century Armenian manuscript, a Gospel Book, has been in Pretoria in what is now the National Cultural History Museum since 1897 and has never been displayed or studied. It is a particularly luxuriously illustrated manuscript that was bought by Pres. Kruger and his executive committee from an Armenian fugitive. Its presence in South Africa is surprising since there has never been more than 200 Armenians in the country. The history of the manuscript is explained and the manuscript is examined in detail in the context of similar Armenian Gospel Books elsewhere in the world.

PRETORIA SE GOUE EVANGELIARIUM: 'n STUDIE VAN 'n LUUKSE ARMEENSE MANUSKRIP. 'n Sewentiende eeuse Armeense manuskrip, 'n Evangeliarium, is sedert 1897 in Pretoria in wat nou die Nasionale Kultuurhistoriese Museum is, en is nooit vertoon of bestudeer nie. Dit is 'n besonder luuks geillustreerde manuskrip wat deur President Kruger en sy uitvoerende komitee van 'n Armeense vlugteling gekoop is. Die teenwoordigheid daarvan in Suid-Afrika is verbasend aangesien daar nog nooit meer as 200 Armeniers in Suid-Afrika was nie. Die geskiedenis van die manuskrip word verduidelik en die manuskrip word in besonderhede ondersoek in die verband van soortgelyke Armeense Evangeliaria elders in die wereld.