Right arm reliquary, 18th -19th C.

Brass with silver gilt

The arm reliquary, or dexter, served as a container to preserve the remains of saints. It was used during some special religious services: the blessing of Holy Oil and the consecration of altars, baptismal fonts, and cornerstones in churches and monasteries. Some arm reliquaries have particular importance, such as the dexter of Gregory the Illuminator which is used for specific rites such as in consecrations of catholicoi.

The forearm on display has three separate panels with engraved scenes: the Descent of the Holy Spirit with dove, Christian temples and a haloed figure kneeling between two others, and a cross decorated with floral motifs on the opposite side. Gemstones were originally inset along the upper and lower edges and decorated with bands and three-layer granulated patterns. The thumb touching the ring finger is a traditional Armenian gesture of blessing.

This reliquary reflects an important story of survival. When its owner tried to escape Armenia with it during the Genocide, she saw that Russian soldiers were confiscating the belongings of Armenians crossing the border. To save it, she passed it to a stranger, who brought the wrapped package home to discover the precious object.

The new possessor kept it safe and brought it with her when she immigrated to Rhode Island a few years later. When she passed away, her daughter, Aghavny Demirjian, bequeathed this piece to the Armenian Museum of America.

Gift of the Estate of Aghavny Demirjian, 2008.280