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Archival evidence of copperplate production, concerning the Pantokrator Monastery of Mount Athos in the 19th century

Αρχαιολογία

• Μπονόβας, Νίκος Μ.

Aim ofthis paper is to answer the question of whether copperplates were actually producedin the Pantokrator Monastery and also ifthey were during the 19th century. All relevantinformation is provided from inscriptions ofthe ledger books that are still preserved inthe monastery archive. The inscriptions are presented in chronological order and this helpsmonitor the flow of orders, while comparing the prices ofcopperplates.According to inscriptions, the total number of copperplates was 22,146, made in 46 lotsfrom 11th March 1809 to 6th April 1875. All inscriptions concern the four versions of copperplatesexecuted in total: in 1779, 1844, mid 19th century and 1869. The iconography ofthese copperplates is associated with icons. As for their themes, the first three copperplatesdepict the Transfiguration ofJesus Christ with scenes of Prophet Elias’ life: the fiery ascentto heaven, an angel awakening the Prophet and the Prophet accepting food from a ravenabove the panoramic view ofthe Pantocrator Monastery. The fourth one represents VirginYerontissa.Actually, during the period above, no one could have imagined such a large productionand delivery from Karyes, the capital ofthe monastic community, to the Pantokrator monasteryin Athos. It is equally important that engravers were presented in inscriptions. Undoubtedlytheir work acquired very specific characteristics and they kept contact with theirclient Pantokrator Monastery which ordered the copperplates. More or less known engraversand printers (“stampadouroi") of copperplates are also present in the inscriptions: monkAthanasios with his assistant monk Joseph (1812), an escort ofmonks in the PantokratorMonastery cell ofTransfiguration in Karyes {“μουταυτσίδες”) (1818-1837), monk Theodosius(1833), secular Gregory (1834), Deacon Agathangelos Triantafyllou (1857) and monk Averkios(1860). It is very important that Athanasios probably established a copperplate workshopwith monk Parthenios from Elassona, the first engraver on Athos (1779-1782).This review demonstrates the development ofreligious engravings and locates engraversand printers on Mount Athos, which was a copperplates’ production centre, in the 19th century.The future research aims at discovering more engravers through inscriptions in ledger books in other monastery archives.

• History and Archaeology
• Arts

• Αρχεία
• Χριστιανικές αρχαιότητες
• Bronzes

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