Relief of Seljuk horse archer making Parthian shot, Armenia

[Druzhina]

Does anyone know the location of the relief shown on Early Islamic Turkish Archery and Thumb Release or the book the image is from? Is there a better photo?

Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[Temüjin]

alas, i've never seen this great depiction of the Parthian shot before. picture search didn't came up with anything either. i'm also not familiar with museums in Armenia, though if it's still there, it's likely in one of the major history museums in Yerevan.

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

I've seen this piece before but never came across about where exactly in Armenia it is. Like Temüjin, I guess it is probably in Yerevan.

[Druzhina]

Thanks,

It could also still be in situ like the relief of a Horse Archer on the Surb Khach Church of the Holy Cross, Akdamar Island, Van Province, Turkish Armenia.

I have reduced some of the pattern from the page texture or scanning technique by blurring it:


Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

Yes perhaps. Well done thanx.

[Temüjin]

Jul 10, 2021 8:48:57 GMT 3 Druzhina said:

Thanks,

It could also still be in situ like the relief of a Horse Archer on the Surb Khach Church of the Holy Cross, Akdamar Island, Van Province, Turkish Armenia.

I have reduced some of the pattern from the page texture or scanning technique by blurring it:
View Attachment

Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

the Osprey book "Saladin and the Saracens" has a Georgian horse archer on plate G. it gives the following as a source: "carved reliefs on stone crosses, AD 1233 and AD 1279 Armenia - Mus. of Armenian Art, Etchmiadzin". maybe this could refer to this pic?

BTW, here's a better resolution picture: funkystock.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Pictures-of-Armenian-Cathedral-church-Akdamar-Turkey/G0000us7PyBBak48/I00009kdGUU04.E4/C0000U.hJWkZxAbg

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

Thanks, this is much better than the version I had.

[Druzhina]

I have found 2 images: HISTORY MUSEUM OF ARMENIA and The Metropolitan Museum of Art Hosts “Armenia!”

The relief depicts Amir Hasan, a Proshian (perhaps from Proshyan, a major village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia) from the south façade of the Spitakavor ("whitish") church. Maybe: Spitakavor Church of Ashtarak


Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume and Soldiers

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

Great find! So the piece is Ilkhanid rather than Seljuk it seems.

[Druzhina]

The 1321 completion date matches the church at Spitakavor Monastery, Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia.

Druzhina

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

Indeed it does.

[Druzhina]

I have added to my collection a large image of the Relief of a Horse Archer from the Church of the Monastery of Spitakover,
Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia.
It depicts Amir Hasan II Proshian (Proshyan), c. 1321 during Ilkhanid Rule.

mirror site
Relief of a Horse Archer from the Church of the Monastery of Spitakover,
Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia.
It depicts Amir Hasan II Proshian (Proshyan), c. 1321 during Ilkhanid Rule.

Druzhina
14th Century Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

[H. İhsan Erkoç]

Well done!