Kutahya Ceramic
Name/Title
Kutahya CeramicDescription
This crafted Armenian Kütahya water flask depicts the biblical scene from the Gospel of Mark (Mark 6:45–52), in which Jesus walks on the Sea of Galilee to reach His disciples during a storm. The composition features eight figures seated in a boat—likely representing the apostles—while Jesus is portrayed walking beside them on the water. The moment captures Christ’s approach to the frightened disciples and His calming of the storm, a testament to His divine authority and a symbol of reassurance and faith amid fear. Prominently inscribed in classical Armenian script is a passage from the Armenian Bible translation of the same scene, underscoring the religious and cultural identity of the object. The inscription reads: «Քանզի ամենեքեան տեսին զնա եւ խռովեցան. եւ նա անդէն վաղվաղակի խօսեցաւ ընդ նոսա եւ ասէ. Քաջալերեցարուք, ես եմ, մի՛ երկնչիք: Եւ ել ի նաւն առ նոսա, եւ դադարեաց հողմն. եւ առաւել եւս յիմարեալ էին ի միտս իւրեանց եւ զարմանային յոյժ: Քանզի եւ ի վերայ հացին ոչ իմացան, զի էր սիրտ նոցա թմբրեալ» (“For they all saw Him and were troubled. And immediately He talked with them, and saith unto them, ‘Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.’ And He went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased. And they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.”) On the neck of the flask is written “Ո՛վ մեծ րաբանապետին Եսայի յիշեա զսա արժան աշակերտս քո զԹորոս” (O great rabbanapet (head teacher/abbot) Yesayi, remember this - your faithful student Thoros.)Category
Ceramics