Gospel cover (two covers) with the depiction of the taking down of Jesus Christ from the cross

The Gospel binding is made of silver, subsequently gilded. Through use, the binding became deformed and fragmented, surviving as two applied plates for the covers and one clasp.

The applied plate for the front cover is an elongated rectangle with a mirrored surface; in the corners and at the center are oval openings for medallion-plaques (now lost). The corners are decorated with openwork triangular appliqués in the form of interwoven shoots with acanthus leaves and floral motifs. The center is worked as an appliqué in the form of an eight-petaled rosette, its petals formed by interwoven shoots.

The applied plate for the back cover repeats the shape of the front, with a mirrored surface. In the middle part of the plate, within a large oval opening, is an inset with a Gospel scene — "The Descent from the Cross." The inset combines a flat, silver-toned metal plate with golden rays of radiance from Christ's body, and a figural composition worked in high relief in gold tones. Around the contour of the oval is a metal border. The surface of the applied plate around the inset is decorated with shaped, openwork appliqués of winding shoots with acanthus leaves and flowers.

In the corners of the plate are feet, organically integrated into the decoration.

The clasp is gold-toned, one-sided, in relief. It takes the form of a shaped cartouche, within whose field is a depiction of the Holy Apostle Peter in an oval frame. The Apostle is shown in a three-quarter turn to the right, with curly hair and a round beard, a round halo around his head. Saint Peter wears flowing garments with dynamic folds; his left hand, palm open, is raised upward; in his right hand, lowered, he holds a large key. At the top of the clasp is a round opening for a pin (fastened to the top cover of the Gospel). At the bottom, the clasp is joined by a hinge to a shaped loop, with three holes for attachment to the back cover of the Gospel.

The binding was made in 1852.

The object belonged to the pre-war (pre-1941) part of the collection of the Historical Museum. It was evacuated in 1941 and returned to Kharkiv in November 1944.