Armenian Folk Art on Display in Museums Around the World

The Russian Museum of Ethnography recently held an exhibition on Armenian traditional culture. The exhibition titled “The World of Traditional Armenian Culture“ featured never before seen objects characteristic of the most widespread occupations and crafts among the Armenians: weaponry, jewelry, carpets, musical instruments, lace works and embroidery. Regarding Armenian craftsmanship the museum’s website states:

“…Armenian people achieved general recognition as creators and keepers of multifaceted cultural tradition. The study of their traditional culture became one of main subjects of the Ethnographic Department of the Alexander III Russian Museum (now the Russian Museum of Ethnography).

The production of Armenian armourers (daggers, sabres, shashkas) was famous in all the Caucasus and beyond its borders. The craftsmen from Tiflis (Tbilisi), Akhaltsikhe, Alexandropol, Karin and Van were commonly renowned. Depending on fashion Armenian armourers applied various techniques.

Jewellery art was one of the spectacular sides of Armenian culture. Different specific techniques of jewellery crafting and decoration developed in various Armenian regions.

Carpet making is one of the oldest Armenian crafts. Carpets covered ottomans and floors, hung on walls and niches. The carpets from Tavush, Sunic-Artsakh, Khaberda and Van were particularly famous. They could be woolen, silk or made of combination of these materials. On the one hand the ornament of each carpet was restricted by conventional rules; on the other hand it was unique work of art in which carpet-maker expressed her view of harmony and beauty.”

The museum holds over 3000 unique artifacts of Armenian culture, which have been saved at the time of the Armenian Genocide during a Scientific Expedition in 1916 led by Alexander Miller. In honor of this occasion the Russian Museum in collaboration with the Geneva-based Armenian Jewelers Foundation Published a book titled “Treasures of Western Armenia“, which displays the artifacts housed at the Russian Museum of Ethnography. Unfortunately there are not many photo’s released on the internet, and people will have to buy the book to admire these antique artifacts.

Armenian folk art can also be admired at museums in France, the US (at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts) and countless other places. See bellow some of the artifacts on display at these museums.

Armenian dress made of silk, 19th century. -Armenian Museum of France

Armenian Tunic 19th century, embroidered with gold, silver and silk. Decorations of landscapes and flowers. - Armenian Museum of France. — Armenian Tunic 19th century, embroidered with gold, silver and silk. Decorations of landscapes and flowers. – Armenian Museum of France.

Armenian costume of a young man. Late 19th century from Van region. Collection of A.A.Millera. 1916. – The Russian Museum of Ethnography

Armenian male costume of an inhabitant of Shatakh, early 20th century. – The Russian Museum of Ethnography

Armenian female blanket, late 19th century. – The Russian Museum of Ethnography

Armenian children's jacket. Early 20th century. – The Russian Museum of Ethnography — Armenian children’s jacket. Early 20th century. – The Russian Museum of Ethnography

Armenian garment, late 19th century, silk and metal - Metropolitan Museum of Art — Armenian garment, late 19th century, silk and metal – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Armenian garment, late 19th century, linen, wool, cotton. - Metropolitan Museum of Art — Armenian garment, late 19th century, linen, wool, cotton. – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Armenian garment, late 19th century, wool & silk. - Metropolitan Museum of Art — Armenian garment, late 19th century, wool & silk. – Metropolitan Museum of Art

19th century costumes from Armenia. - History Museum of Armenia, Yerevan — 19th century costumes from Armenia. – History Museum of Armenia, Yerevan

Armenian young woman headdress decoration. Early 20th century – The Russian Museum of Ethnography

Armenian embroidery , 19th century. - The Russian Museum of Ethnography — Armenian embroidery , 19th century. – The Russian Museum of Ethnography

Beads from an Armenian Bracelet, 19th century. - The Russian Museum of Ethnography — Beads from an Armenian Bracelet, 19th century. – The Russian Museum of Ethnography

Armenian Bracelet from the 19th century. - The Russian Museum of Ethnography — Armenian Bracelet from the 19th century. – The Russian Museum of Ethnography

Armenian female bracelet, late 19th century. Floral patterns, decorated with pendants shaped leaves made of vermeil filigree. - Armenian Museum of France — Armenian female bracelet, late 19th century. Floral patterns, decorated with pendants shaped leaves made of vermeil filigree. – Armenian Museum of France

19th century Armenian female bracelet. Gilded silver filigree, decorated star rosettes adorned with silver beads, from the region of Van. - Armenian Museum of France — 19th century Armenian female bracelet. Gilded silver filigree, decorated star rosettes adorned with silver beads, from the region of Van. – Armenian Museum of France

19th century Armenian Belt buckle. Composed of two elements shaped filigree rosettes, inlaid with coral, turquoise and enamel. - Armenian Museum of France — 19th century Armenian Belt buckle. Composed of two elements shaped filigree rosettes, inlaid with coral, turquoise and enamel. – Armenian Museum of France

Armenian priest's belt, 19th century. Consisting of two rectangular plates decorated with semi-precious stones. The loop consists of three elements decorated with precious stones. - Armenian Museum of France — Armenian priest’s belt, 19th century. Consisting of two rectangular plates decorated with semi-precious stones. The loop consists of three elements decorated with precious stones. – Armenian Museum of France

Armenian Jewelry box, 1751 - Armenian Museum of France — Armenian Jewelry box, 1751 – Armenian Museum of France

Armenian dagger, late 19th century. – The Russian Museum of Ethnography

Some more pictures from the exhibition in St. Petersburg

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Tivadar Mircea

7 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRT1kbyoTcg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNQD70cKI8Y

Thank you !

Armenuhi

admirable,amazing!thank you very much!

Hratch Kozibeyokian

Thank you for your outstanding work, you always manage to compile in categories and present in a coherent display subjects relevant to the rich heritage of Armenian culture. KUDOS !

Greg

Wow! Thanks, this is amazing!

Stepan Simonian

Thank you. An outstanding collection of Armenian culture.

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Armenian Folk Art on Display in Museums Around the World

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