On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Liturgical Book Stand (Grakal)
Not on view
The liturgical book stand (grakal) is used to hold the Lectionary (Chashots‘) containing all of the Bible readings appointed for the annual services in the Armenian Church. A lector carries the grakal to the center chancel at appointed reading times during the service. The stand is also used during preaching and daily readings in monasteries. The upper panel features the Armenian blooming cross from which sprouts lush foliage. Beneath, a spotted leopard feeds on fruit harvested from the vines. The donor family is represented here symbolically by lions and leopards feasting on the eternal fruits of their redemption in Christ, as portrayed by the flowering cross. The inscription reads, "In memory of Baron Gregory and [his] parents constructed in the year 721 [ad 1272]."
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