The Orthodox Hymnal (Sharaknotz)

Object Details

• Artist

  Hayrapet

• Provenance

  Likely 1651-?

  Têr-Markos, possibly of Agoulis, Goļthn, in Ancient Armenia [1]

  ?-to at least 1937

  H. Kevorkian, New York, method of acquisition unknown [2]

  From 1937

  Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from H. Kevorkian, New York [3]

  Notes:

  [1] See 1937 curator’s remarks in object file, by J.E. Lodge, regarding the person identified as the owner of the manuscript throughout several colophons and miniatures of the hymnal. From Leaf 66, recto: “…take pity on me, thy servant, the owner of this book, Têr-Markos, a monk, and on my good parents” (p.2). In Leaf 282, recto, Markos is identified as “a monk in aspect only, not in practice” (p. 4). Lodge notes that it is possible, but not definite, that Têr-Markos lived in the village of Agoulis in Goļthn, in the Province of Vapourakan (modern Southeastern Turkey).

  [2] See April 15, 1937 note in object file, indicating that Kevorkian left this hymnal with the Freer Gallery of Art, along with five other objects, for examination. Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962) was a dealer and collector of Islamic Art with eponymous galleries in New York and Paris. See also note 3.

  [3] The Freer Gallery of Art paid H. Kevorkian in installments, the first on April 23, 1937, and the last on June 2, 1937, and approved on June 1, 1937. See object file for copy of invoice.

  Research updated December 8, 2022

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Armenian Manuscripts (May 15, 1979 to March 11, 1980)

  Christian Art (April 10, 1978 to October 12, 1978)

  Christian Art (December 1, 1971 to April 7, 1978)

  Christian Art (January 1, 1963 to May 15, 1968)

  Untitled Exhibition, Armenian and Byzantine Art (July 28, 1958 to January 1, 1963)

  Centennial Exhibition, Gallery 6 Alcove (February 25, 1956 to July 22, 1958)

  Special Exhibition, Armenian Manuscripts and East Christian Art (February 15, 1955 to April 13, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Near Eastern Art, East Corridor (October 26 to November 10, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Near Eastern Art, 1947 (June 18, 1947 to October 26, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Armenian Manuscripts (December 20, 1944 to October 6, 1947)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962)

• Origin

  Armenia

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Manuscript

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1650s

• Name

  Kevorkian, Hagop

• Place

  Armenia

• Topic

  Biblical Manuscripts, Bible

• Culture

  Christians

• Object Type

  Manuscripts