As people might know, Armenian national garments and rugs are often adorned with a rich, deepย red color. But what most might not realize is that this is all thanks to a little insectย calledย the “Armenian cochineal“ย also known asย “Kermes”ย which is indigenous to the Ararat plain and Aras River valley in the Armenian Highlands.ย The lowly scale bug,...
Armenian girls weaving carpets

A Page from People of All Nations, their life story today and the story of their past captured in numerous photographs edited by J.A. Hammerton 1920 text reads: ARMENIAN CARPET MANUFACTORY IN EASTERN KURDISTAN Neither the Turk nor the Kurd is remarkable for artistic talent, but the Armenians, with a culture going back to...
Iconography in Armenian Woven Art : Symposium

The Armenian Rugs Society has organized a symposium on Armenian rug art, to be held on February 22, 23, and 24, 2013 in Laguna Beach, California. One of their honored guest speakers is an Oriental rug designer, master weaver and restorer of ancient hand woven textiles and rugs Hratch Kozibeyokian. Thirteen years ago, he...
The color of Armenian garments

As people might know, Armenian national garments and rugs are often of very bright colors (including red and purple), especially those of the ladies. But what most might not realize is that this probably has something to do with a little insect by the name of โKermesโ readily available on the lands of our...