Holandese-Armenian Medal - Hovhannes, son of Hakob - Silver
Identifier
Bedoukian-2; ANRO-1826
Reference Description
Obverse:
At the center is the Lamb of God standing on a globe, illuminated by rays emanating from an all-seeing eye. Two allegorical female figures flank the cartouche. Around the perimeter, in Armenian, is the legend “Յակոբյանի որդի յոհան տոհմ խալտարեանծ վճրկն ծնել ձուղայ յայս թուական 1710 որ այժմ կայ յւմսդր գմ 1740,” which translates as “Hovhannes, son of Hakob, from the Khaltaryan family, merchant, born in Julfa in the year 1710, who is now in Amsterdam, 1740.” On the ribbons appear “խոհեմ-ութի” (“prudence”), “ե առա-քինութ” (“and virtue”), and below them “յաղթէ ամէնայնի” (“they conquer all”).
Reverse:
A field of stylized clouds fills the background, with a chalice at the top flanked by the Tablets of the Law and a cross. In Armenian, the inscriptions read “մաքուր յաւատ” (“pure faith”), “յաստատուհ յոյս” (“steadfast hope”), and “կատարել սեր” (“perfect love”). At the bottom is the date and place “AMSTERDAM 1757.” The central motif includes a triangle signifying the Holy Trinity.
Specifications: Silver, 54x51mm, ?g
Artist / Engraver: Holtzhey, Martinus sr (1697-1764)
At the center is the Lamb of God standing on a globe, illuminated by rays emanating from an all-seeing eye. Two allegorical female figures flank the cartouche. Around the perimeter, in Armenian, is the legend “Յակոբյանի որդի յոհան տոհմ խալտարեանծ վճրկն ծնել ձուղայ յայս թուական 1710 որ այժմ կայ յւմսդր գմ 1740,” which translates as “Hovhannes, son of Hakob, from the Khaltaryan family, merchant, born in Julfa in the year 1710, who is now in Amsterdam, 1740.” On the ribbons appear “խոհեմ-ութի” (“prudence”), “ե առա-քինութ” (“and virtue”), and below them “յաղթէ ամէնայնի” (“they conquer all”).
Reverse:
A field of stylized clouds fills the background, with a chalice at the top flanked by the Tablets of the Law and a cross. In Armenian, the inscriptions read “մաքուր յաւատ” (“pure faith”), “յաստատուհ յոյս” (“steadfast hope”), and “կատարել սեր” (“perfect love”). At the bottom is the date and place “AMSTERDAM 1757.” The central motif includes a triangle signifying the Holy Trinity.
Specifications: Silver, 54x51mm, ?g
Artist / Engraver: Holtzhey, Martinus sr (1697-1764)
Notes
Jacques Schulman Auction No. 230, Lot 1196 (4-Mar-1958)
Historical Note: The Khaltaryan family mentioned on this medal was indeed a prominent Armenian merchant family in Persia and its diaspora. They were patrons of the Armenian Church – one member built a church in New Julfa – and the family’s name was given to nearly a quarter of the quarters (districts) of New Julfa. Branches of the Khaltaryan family were active not only in Amsterdam but also in India and the East Indies, where they engaged in trade. The family encouraged cultural activities abroad; for instance, an Armenian Bible printed in Amsterdam in 1713 mentions the Khaltaryan name in its colophon. Hovhannes Khaltaryan, the subject of this medal, exemplifies how influential diaspora Armenians commemorated their legacy and faith through art. It has been speculated that the unique design of this medal was conceived by an Armenian and executed by a Dutch craftsman, given its blend of Armenian themes with European medallic style.
Historical Note: The Khaltaryan family mentioned on this medal was indeed a prominent Armenian merchant family in Persia and its diaspora. They were patrons of the Armenian Church – one member built a church in New Julfa – and the family’s name was given to nearly a quarter of the quarters (districts) of New Julfa. Branches of the Khaltaryan family were active not only in Amsterdam but also in India and the East Indies, where they engaged in trade. The family encouraged cultural activities abroad; for instance, an Armenian Bible printed in Amsterdam in 1713 mentions the Khaltaryan name in its colophon. Hovhannes Khaltaryan, the subject of this medal, exemplifies how influential diaspora Armenians commemorated their legacy and faith through art. It has been speculated that the unique design of this medal was conceived by an Armenian and executed by a Dutch craftsman, given its blend of Armenian themes with European medallic style.
Images
Items in Catalog Category
Citation
“Holandese-Armenian Medal - Hovhannes, son of Hakob - Silver,” Armenian Numismatic Research Organization, accessed March 25, 2025, http://armnumres.org/items/show/1826.