A RARE ARMENIAN ENAMELLED SILVER CUP AND SAUCER, TURKEY SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY A RARE ARMENIAN ENAMELLED SILVER CUP AND SAUCER, TURKEY SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY A RARE ARMENIAN ENAMELLED SILVER CUP AND SAUCER, TURKEY SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY A RARE ARMENIAN ENAMELLED SILVER CUP AND SAUCER, TURKEY SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY A RARE ARMENIAN ENAMELLED SILVER CUP AND SAUCER, TURKEY SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY

A RARE ARMENIAN ENAMELLED SILVER CUP AND SAUCER, TURKEY SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY

Reference: ART300591

"A rare Armenian enamelled silver cup and saucer with the monogram of Catholikos Ghoukas Karnetsi, head of the Armenian Church 1780-99 Turkey, second half of the 18th Century The saucer of shallow circular form with everted rim, decorated in repoussé with a central roundel containing a lion surrounded by four heart-shaped cartouches containing monograms, the rim with a band of diaper motifs; the cup with monograms flanked by paired angels beneath a church tower, interspersed by heart shaped cartouches containing monograms, a diaper band to the rim, traces of green, turquoise and blue enamel the saucer 16.9 cm. diam., 247 g. (total weight)(2) - Inscriptions: ՂԿՍ / ԿԹԿ Ղ [ՈՒ] Կ [Ա] Ս Կ [Ա] Թ [ՈՂԻ] Կ [ՈՍ], Gh[ou]k[a]s K[a]th[oghi]k[os], Catholicos Goukas.

The present lot bears the monogram of Catholicos Ghoukas I Karnetsi. Born in Karin in 1722, he was consecrated bishop and appointed diocesan bishop of Izmir in 1763. He was later elected Catholicos (head of the Armenian church) in 1780 and remained in the post till his death in 1799. He is buried in the Monastery of Saint Gayane in Holy Etchmidzin. A patron of the arts, the frescoes of the cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin by the artist Hovnatan Hovnatanian were commissioned by Catholicos Ghoukas and painted during his Catholicate."