Gospels, Canon Table with birds and Matthew Evangelist symbols, Walters Manuscript W.543, fol. 18r

This Armenian Gospel book was produced in 904 of the Armenian era (1455 CE) at the monastery of Gamałiēl in Xizan by the scribe Yohannēs Vardapet, son of Vardan and Dilšat, and was illuminated by the priest Xačʿatur. The priest Pʿilipos commissioned the manuscript as a memorial to himself, his parents Łazar and Xutʿlumēlikʿ, and other relatives listed in the colophon on fols. 300r to 301v. Pʿilipos is depicted on fol. 14v alongside his brothers Yusēpʿ and Sultanša, as they kneel before the Virgin and Child enthroned (Theotokos). The book contains 26 full-page polychrome miniatures, including 4 Evangelist portraits; ornately-designed canon tables; 4 decorated incipit pages; numerous marginal miniatures of floral and faunal motifs; and 19 marginal miniatures of biblical characters or allusions to biblical narratives.