Collection: CILICIA

Cilicia was a medieval Armenian kingdom, established in the 11th century.

The arts were flourishing throughout this kingdom, and by the 13th century, the tradition of Armenian miniature painting was at its height. These manuscripts were commissioned by the aristocracy, and were very ornate and lavishly decorated. The miniature paintings are further characterized by their high-quality parchment, gold-leaf backgrounds, and the use of expensive paints. The illustrating, copying, and binding of these manuscripts was done exclusively by monks and priests in the scriptoriums of monasteries throughout the region. 

Nearly 30,000 of such manuscripts have been preserved, dating from the 9th to the 19th centuries. Our Cilicia collection is inspired by their beautiful illustrations. The delicate ornaments and vibrant opeque enamel of these pieces create a very refined look. The polished gold surfaces serve as a backdrop for turquoise enamel ornaments, and evoke feminine charm.