Getty and Armenian church reach deal to keep ancient illustrated papers at LA museum

LOS ANGELES – Eight beautifully illustrated 13th century papers by Armenian scribe T'oros Roslin will remain at Los Angeles' J. Paul Getty Museum under a deal between the museum and the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.

The pages, known as Canon Tables, are part of the Zeyt'un Gospels. They're the earliest signed work of Roslin, who was the most accomplished Armenian illuminator and scribe of the 13th century.

For years, the church claimed it was the papers' rightful owner. The Getty maintained it legally purchased them in 1994 from descendants of a person who spirited them to safety during the Armenian genocide of 1915.

Under Monday's settlement, the museum acknowledges the papers were church property. The church, in turn, praises the Getty for taking good care of them and says the museum may keep them.