Tsovategh, Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Church, khachkar № 1
Monument
Monument type
Khachkar initial, sequential and current
Created as a commemorative khachkar in the 13th-14th centuries, it was originally embedded in the church wall. It was later removed and preserved in the present church yard Original ownership and affiliation
Village of Tsovategh The name of conservation unit
Khachkar A topographic report
Region (province), community
Greater Armenia, Artsakh region, district of Myus Haband. Later included in the Varanda district and its namesake melikdom. From 1991 to 2020 – Republic of Artsakh, Martuni District, Tsovategh. Address
Republic of Artsakh, Martuni District, Tsovategh Topography
Located 15.7 km south of the town of Martuni. Distance and location from community
Situated in the center of Tsovategh village, under the southern wall of the Holy Mother of God Church. Site elevation above sea level
900 meters above sea level. Description
The khachkar is located near the Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Church in Tsovategh, positioned beneath its southern wall, adjacent to two other khachkars. This particular khachkar, along with other medieval examples embedded in the church walls and preserved in its immediate surroundings, attests to the existence of an ancient sacred site.It is a modestly sized, rectangular monument carved from white sandstone. At the center of the composition stands a prominent floral cross, adorned with rope-like interlace patterns and cross arms terminating in triple buds. Extending from the base of the cross to the right and left are two branches, each bearing a carved human figure rendered in frontal view, with bodies and heads in frontal posture and feet oriented toward the cross.
Although the sculptural details of the figures are not clearly defined, it is discernible that the figure on the right is male, while the one on the left is female. Particularly noteworthy are the bird carvings situated above the figures, directly beneath the horizontal arms of the cross. These birds are distinguished both by their unusually large size and by their iconographic type. They are perched on stems that rise from the base and make contact with the cross.
Further up, in the upper corners of the rectangular cross panel, the design is enriched with grape clusters hanging from the same stems. The cross panel is bordered on three sides by an elegantly woven rope motif. The entire rope-ornamented surface of the khachkar is structured in a triple-banded decorative scheme.
Historical record
Cultural characteristics, period, century (centuries)
Armenian Apostolic Church, 13th–14th centuriesDocuments for dating: according to the iconography
According to stylistic and iconographic features and comparative analysis. Descriptive-Characterization Report
Type
Commemorative (donative) khachkar State of conservation: Qualitative (good, average, bad, emergency, ruins)
Good Value
Of significant importance for the study of medieval khachkar art in Artsakh and for understanding the spiritual life of the village of Tsovategh. Photos
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A․ L-Y․, G․B․