Altar-Cross Carpet - 1,000 dram 2018 gilt

Modern Silver Commemorative - 213

The Altar Cross carpet is notable for an interlacement of basic and secondary ornamental patterns. The central medallion is placed in a monumental cross of architectural style. Wings decorated with chains of hooks growing from the cross make this carpet related to the similar group of the carpets.
In many versions of Altar Cross carpets, the influence of the Christian art is observable: the medallion has a form of the layout of a cruciform central-domed church, whereas stylized arrow-like shoots divide the altars into eagle-shaped arches from above and below.
The Altar-Cross Carpet woven in late 19th century in Syunik region is kept in the History Museum of Armenia (HMA collection № 10549).

Obverse: the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia and an ornament of Floral-Cross Carpet, 15th century, Vaspurakan region.
Reverse: the Altar-Cross Carpet, the late 19th century, Syunik region.

Denomination: 1,000 dram
Metal: Silver 925
Weight: 33.6g
Diameter: 32.5x48mm
Mintage: up to 250 pcs.
Edge: Plain
Strike quality: Proof