Book Case with the Crucifixion and the Harrowing of Hell

Description The inscription around this sumptuous book case states that it was ordered by George Evinikhidze, secretary of King George XI of Kartli (r. 1703-1709). The case is made of exceptionally pure gold and is so soft that it feels as if it might melt in one's hand. Images of the Crucifixion traditionally decorated the covers of Gospel books. Here, they are executed in fine translucent enamel.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
8/08/2012	Treatment	Technical Study; X-ray fluorescence

Exhibitions

• Russian Art: Icons and Decorative Arts from the Origin to the Twentieth Century. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1959-1960.
• Russian Enamels. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. 1996-1997.

Provenance Private collection, Paris, by purchase; Henry Walters, Baltimore, [date of acquisition unknown] by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Transcription] ქ: ნეძითა: და: შეწევნითა: მღთისათა (sic) ჩვენ: ფრიად: პო/დვილმან: დიდისა: და: ზეშთა: აღ/მატეძულისა: ქართლისა: მეფეთ: მეფისა: სრულად: ერ/ანისა: სპასალარისა: ყანდარის: და: ქირმნ/ისა: ძეგლარ: მეგისა გიორგი: ყოფილისა: კატრონისა: შაჰნავაზის/მონამნ: მდივანმა: ევინისიძემა/გიორგიმ: მოვაჭედინეთ: ჴაგიოსანი: სახარეშა: ეს: სულთა: და: ხორცთა: საოხად: ამინ: ქ(ორონი)კ(ო)ნს: ტ[ჟ]ე; [Translation] With the permission and help of the Lord, I, the very sinful George Evinikhidze, secretary and servant of the great and elevated King of Kings of Kartli, Spassalar of all Iran, [and] Begler-Beg of Kirman and Kandahar Lord George, having become Shahnavaz, had this Holy Gospel made to save [my] soul and body. Amen. Year 395 of the Georgian era [AD 1707].

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters