MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER
Anchi Gospel
(Georgia)
Ref N° 2008-18
PART A – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
1
SUMMARY
The Anchi Gospel dates back to the XI century. Size: 22,5cm x 15,5 cm; it is written on parchment
(which was normally made of calf skin rather than of goat skin as was common in Europe at that
time), has wooden cover which is upholstered in leather. The gospel is 269 pages thick, three of them
are blank. The front cover is adorned with silver and semiprecious stones. The gospel is complete. It is
executed in old Georgian script called Nuskhuri, the titles are written in red ink called Singuri
(substance, used exclusively in Georgia, was made by the mixture of mercury and sulfur. It had a
special recipe and was widely used in literary practice in Georgia from time immemorial). It has five
miniatures: one of Matthew and the other four of the dome of heaven. At the end of the gospel there is
a table of content. The gospel is divided into chapters and each chapter has separate table of content at
the start.
The Anchi Gospel is one of the three masterpieces of the famous Georgian goldsmith Beka Opizari
that has survived to these days. Opizari set the standards for this work, which combined a wide variety
of techniques and materials for achieving a high point of pictorial representation. His art has truly
become the peak of the development of embossed plastic art.
There are several things that make the gospel unique and totally irreplaceable. The titles in the gospel
are written in red ink called Singuri. Due to the composition of the substance the color was resistant to
physical environment and did not evaporate. That is the reason why ancient manuscripts written in
Singuri have retained a bright red color.
The significance of the Anchi Gospel also lies in the fact that its miniature of Matthew is produced
with a unique technique. It is painted with the paint that contained gold. Due to this reason the color of
miniature is very impressive.
The Gospel is written on parchment which was normally made of calf skin rather than of goat skin as
it was common in Europe at that time.
2
DETAILS OF THE NOMINATOR
2.1
Name (person or organisation)
The National Archives of Georgia
2.2
Relationship to the documentary heritage nominated
Custodian and owner of the document
2.3
Contact person (s)
Teona Iashvili, Director General
The National Archives of Georgia
2.4
Contact details (include address, phone, fax, email)
Address: 1, Vazha Pshavela Ave. 0160
Tel: 372801
Fax: 372801
E-mail: archive@justice.gov.ge
3
3.1
IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE
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3.2
Name and identification details of the items being nominated
Name of the Documentary Heritage: The Anchi Gospel
Country: Georgia
Address: 1, Vazha Pshavela Ave., 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia
Name of Institution: The National Archives of Georgia
Description
The gospel (four books) is written in the XI century. Size: 22,5cmX15,5 cm; it is written on parchment
(which was normally made of calf skin rather than of goat skin as it was accepted in Europe at that
time), has wooden cover which is upholstered in leather. The gospel is 269 pages thick, three of them
are blank. The front cover is adorned with silver and semiprecious stones. The gospel is complete. It is
written in old Georgian script, called Nuskhuri, the titles are written in red ink called Singuri,
(substance, used exclusively in Georgia, was made by the mixture of mercury and sulfur. This was a
special recipe that was widely used in literary practice in Georgia from time immemorial). It has five
miniatures: one of Matthew and the other four of dome of heaven. At the end of the gospel there is a
table of content. The gospel is divided into chapters and each chapter has table of content at the start.
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Bibliographic/registration details: Fond 1446, # 323
Summary of its provenance: The gospel was brought to the National Archives in 1923 by an
unknown person from Tsalka (district in Georgia currently populated mainly by ethnic
minorities). It is unknown how that person got hold of the gospel.
 Assessment of physical state: The gospel was fully restored in 2007. The first phase of
restoration work included the disinfection of pages, softening and moisturizing of leather and
parchment, fortification of inscriptions and miniature, determination of the acidity of pages
and dry cleaning them. In the second phase of restoration the softened leather cover and
parchments were stretched and corrected. Artificial parchment was also made. In the third
phase the missing parts of the pages were filled with artificial parchment and the leather cover
was restored and polished.
 Visual documentation: photos
 Bibliography: Tedo Zhordania “chronicles and other materials about the history of Georgia
and prose”, volume I, 1892
The Description of Georgian manuscripts collection, volume I
 Referees:
Mr. Zurab Zhvania, professor, Tbilisi State University, Historian.
Ms. Manana Chumburidze, Orientalist, the National Archives of Georgia
Ms. Luiza Ghlonti, Philologist, Head of Information Department of the National
Archives of Georgia.
4
JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION/ ASSESSMENT AGAINST CRITERIA
4.1
Is authenticity established?
The gospel underwent an examination in 2007 at the National Bureau of Forensic Expertise of the
Ministry of Justice of Georgia as a result of which the true age of the document has been determined –
XI century instead of XII-XII as was previously thought. This document is one of the few survivors of
the time. There does not exist any copies, replicas, forgeries or bogus document.
4.2
Is world significance, uniqueness and irreplaceability established?
The Anchi Gospel is a unique manuscript which is of historic and cultural importance not only for
Georgia but for the Christian world as a whole. Dated from the XI century, the gospel was created at a
time when Georgian chasing and art reached its peak. During that period different spheres of art was
developed, educational centers were opened where mainly eclectic literature was rewritten and
translated from different languages into Georgian. Unfortunately, only very few manuscripts survived
to these days.
There are several things that make the gospel unique and totally irreplaceable. The titles in the gospel
are written in red ink called Singuri. This was a special substance, used exclusively in Georgia and
was made by the mixture of mercury and sulfur. It was made from a special recipe and was widely
used in literary practice in Georgia from time immemorial. Due to its composition the red color was
resistant to physical environment and did not evaporate. That is the reason why ancient manuscripts
written in Singuri have retained bright red color.
The significance of the Anchi Gospel also lies in the fact that its miniature of Matthew is produced
with a unique technique. It is painted with the paint that that contained gold. Due to this reason the
color of miniature is very impressive.
The Gospel is written on parchment which was normally made of calf skin rather than of goat skin as
was the practice in Europe at that time.
4.3
Is one or more of the criteria of (a) time (b) place (c) people (d) subject and theme (e) form
and style satisfied?
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4.4
Time: The Gospel is one of the few survivors of XI century Georgian manuscripts.
Place: the Anchi Gospel was written in Klarjeti, one of the most important provinces of
Georgia, which now belongs to Turkey. The content of the gospel, the way how it is designed,
its miniatures and the chasing provide us an insight into the cultural development of that very
province.
People: The Georgian Royalty is mentioned in the gospel and a prayer is offered for them.
Subject and theme: The documents represent particular historical and intellectual
developments in linguistics (phonetics, morphology), history, book decoration, religious
identity, goldsmithery.
Form and style: The Gospel gives us an idea about the style of miniature painting, the culture
of calligraphy, the importance of religion in the life of the society.
Are there issues of rarity, integrity, threat and management that relate to this nomination?
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Rarity: The Gospel is one of the few survivors of XI century Georgian manuscripts.
Integrity: The documental heritage is complete
Threat: As far as the document has been recently restored totally, it does not face any serious
threat due to its current state. But vigilance must be applied to the physical environment.
Management plan: There is no management plan
5
LEGAL INFORMATION
5.1.
Owner of the documentary heritage (name and contact details)
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5.2
Georgia
Custodian of the documentary heritage (name and contact details, if different to owner)
The National Archives of Georgia
Address: 1, Vazha Pshavela Ave.
Tel: 372801
Fax: 372801
E-mail: archive@justice.gov.ge
Legal status:
5.3
a) Category of ownership: Public Property
b) Accessibility: The original manuscript is placed in a cardboard disinfected box and is kept in
a securely locked fireproof safe. Since the gospel belongs to the group of documents of
significant importance, access to it is strictly restricted. The facsimile copy of the documents
does not exist. There exists only a preservation master which is normally used during
exhibitions.
c) Copyright status: The National Archives of Georgia is the copyright holder. It is stipulated
by article 24 of the law on the National Archival Fond and the National Archives that during
publishing the document of the national archival fond it is mandatory to indicate the owner
and the custodian of the document.
d) Responsible administration: Ministry of Justice of Georgia
6
MANAGEMENT PLAN
6.1
Is there a management plan in existence for this documentary heritage? YES/NO
NO
7
CONSULTATION
PART B – SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
8
ASSESSMENT OF RISK
8.1
Detail the nature and scope of threats to this documentary heritage (see 5.5)
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9
9.1
Environmental conditions: The manuscript is locked in a safe without any climatic control
for temperature and for humidity. It is not usually exposed to daylight.
Preservation budget: no special budget or qualified personnel is available.
Extent and nature of access provided: access to the original of the document is strictly
restricted. No copy is available for readers.
ASSESSMENT OF PRESERVATION
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Detail the preservation context of the documentary heritage (see 3.3)
Present physical state: After restoration works the document is in good physical state.
History of preservation: The gospel has never been restored before.
Current preservation policy: restriction on access and protection from daylight
The person/organization responsible for preservation: the National Archives of Georgia.
PART C - LODGEMENT
This nomination is lodged by:
(Please print name)…Teona Iashvili, Director General, The National Archives of Georgia
(Signature)………………………………… (Date)…26.03.2008…………