Khachkar


Khachkar

 

(Armenian, “cross-stone”), a medieval Armenian monument, memorial or otherwise, consisting of vertically placed stone slabs with the carved image of a large cross of complex ornamental composition. Khachkars were erected both separately and in groups. They became common in the ninth century and were probably derived from early Christian stelae. Originally monumental in composition, they were later ornamented with delicate openwork patterns in the 12th century.

REFERENCES

Armianskie khachkary. Echmiadzin, 1973. (In Armenian, Russian, and English.)