May 17, 2016 - 12:45 AMT
ARTICLE
When the priceless is sold
Auctioned Armenian masterpieces
Armenian art pieces are not only displayed at museums across the globe but are also part of collections bought at prestigious actions Sotheby’s and Christie's. These are mostly medieval manuscripts and miniatures.

Four Gospels, glazed paper, New Jugha, 1695. Written and illustrated at Surb Amenaprkich church by Azaria Jughayetsi. Sold at Sotheby’s for £30,000. Estimate £12,000-18,000.

Armenian carpet, Tavush. Sold for £3,500

Handwritten Gospel, 17th century. Sold for £13,750 at Sotheby’s. 271-page parchment manuscript with the pictures of birds, animals and humans. Estimate £4000-6000.

Gospel, 1656-1658, consisting of 265 pages, presumably copied by Azaria Jughayetsi in the 17th century. Sold at Sotheby’s for £8,125.

Handwritten prayer book decorated with miniatures, consisting of 147 pages, 16th century, origin unknown. Sold for £4,750.

Gospel, 9th-12th century, parchment. Sold for £8,750.

The most expensive painting by Armenian artist ever sold at Sotheby’s was Arshille Gorky’s (Vostanik Adoyan) “Impatience” (1945) canvass auctioned for $6.802.500.

In November 2015, a 70-year old Armenian “Ararat” brandy fetched $120,000 at Sotheby’s. At an auction dedicated to the 50th death anniversary of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill drinks, cigarettes and clothes he preferred were sold.

Samson Hovhannisyan / PanARMENIAN.Net