In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares a painting by an unknown artist which depicts a scene from Easter. In the Armenian Church there are five great feast days (Daghavars). They are Christmas, Easter, Vartavar, Assumption of Saint Mary, and Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The week preceding each Daghavar is a week of fasting, except for Easter which has its own seven week fast (lent). The day after Easter is called merelotz, which is a solemn day for remembrance.
1946 Book Raises Funds for Displaced Armenians
After World War II, there were thousands of Armenians liberated from German prisoner of war camps. We have several books in our collection that were published during this time period, telling the story of George Mardikian and the Armenian National Committee for Homeless Armenians (ANCHA). In one book published in 1946, we found a memo written to Dr. Aram Boghosian requesting that instead of sending payment, he should make a donation to one of the organizations assisting these refugees and displaced persons. Many of them were eventually resettled in other countries including the USA.
3-in-1 Wedding Band
We have a unique family heirloom from 1887 that was donated by author, actress, and former TV news anchor Cathy Burnham Martin. The ring belonged to her grandmother and is also part of her new historical fiction trilogy. Made by an Armenian jeweler, two adjoining hands meet in the middle to embrace a gold heart that opens up to three separate rings.
Our Oldest Secular Textile
In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shows us the oldest non-religious textile in our collection which is a silk scarf that was presented as a wedding gift in the late 1700's. There are also two other lace pieces that are from the early 1900's which demonstrate typical Armenian styles of floral embroidery.
Discover the Colorful Brilliance of Minas Avetisian
Minas Avetisian (1928-1975) painted and illustrated in a style that was revolutionary for his time. Born in the village of Jajur, Minas reshaped the pallet of colors and style that were typical of Armenian artists at the time. His method differs from traditional plein-air (outdoor) painting as he completed most of his works in his studio. He chose bold lines and primary colors to evoke deep emotion in his works. In this video, Gay Lind-Sinanian highlights two pieces that were gifted to our collection by Dr. and Mrs. Nishan and Mary Goudsouzian. Mary is a long-time Trustee of the Armenian Museum of America.
To All My Loved Ones Be Happy
"To All My Loved Ones Be Happy," is the inscribed message on a small, beaded bag that orphan Frances Paelian held in her little hand. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian tells us about the significance of blue beads intentionally sewn into her vest and explains other unique items that she had in her possession. These objects were thoughtfully created with purpose and symbolism that is still relevant in our culture today.
Dance the Bijo with Us
Dance is a vital part of Armenian culture, and its preservation is important to us here at the Museum. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian takes us step-by-step to learn one variation of the popular Bijo dance that originated in Sebastia.
While this video is not about an artifact in our collection, many people know that Gary’s talent and passion is in preserving and teaching Armenian folk dance, so it is not forgotten. Gary demonstrates this high energy dance, which was adapted as Sebastatsis immigrated to communities like Springfield and Providence in the aftermath of the Genocide.
Historic Fashion Textiles
Many Armenian dance groups have donated costumes which were designed to replicate garments worn in historic Armenia. Long skirts, vertical stripes, and scalloped edges are just a few characteristics of these outfits. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shows us four 20th century pieces worn by dance groups that accurately represent traditional Armenian dress. We also have more than 60 authentic Armenian garments in our textile collection.
Ancient Monastery Relics
In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares two priceless items rescued from Armenian monasteries that now lie in ruins in the aftermath of the Genocide. The first is an inscribed iron doorknob from Tomarza's Sourp Astvatsatsin Monastery. The oldest book in our collection, the Garabed Gospel, was kept in Tomarza in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Bathtub Gin
During the prohibition era (1920-1933), many households in the U.S. distilled their own alcohol. "Bathtub gin" refers to any style of homemade spirit made in amateur conditions. The copper still in this video was made by Mihran Aljian and it was shared amongst many Dikranagertsi households in New Jersey. Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian explains how this unusual device was used.
Awards from Ethiopia Made by Bedros Sevadjian
We have hundreds of commemorative medals, awards and badges from various places in our collection. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights two awards that were made by Bedros Sevadjian. His father, Avedis Sevadjian, was a successful tanner and industrialist during the early 1900s in Ethiopia. Bedros decided that the family business was not for him and apprenticed himself to Nigoghos Djidedjian, a jeweler at the Court of Haile Selassie I and a master of filigree work. Bedros got a standing contract from the Ethiopian government for manufacturing the buttons, symbols, crowns and stars for use on military uniforms as well as small denomination coins.
Law Pioneer Norma Karaian
Norma Karaian was the first American-born Armenian woman to become a lawyer in the United States. Norma was the recipient of many awards, including the Armenian Bar Association’s first Honorary Award and the Girl Scouts of America’s “Outstanding Woman of Achievement” in 1993. In her retirement, she was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Board on Juvenile Justice as well as the Victim and Witness Assistance Board, all while continuing to practice law until her death in 2005 at the age of 100. Both the Armenian-American community and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are richer for Norma’s legacy. These items about Norma Karaian are currently on display in the Family Case near the Museum entrance. This exhibit highlights family histories through a rotating display of donated objects that tell powerful stories.
1882 Eastlake Style Table
Eastlake furniture was named after Victorian-style architect Charles Lock Eastlake and it was popularized in the United States in the late 19th century. Thanks to a donation from Sona and Charles Aslanian, we have an Eastlake-style table made by Iskender Tufenkian. Iskender was an Armenian woodcarver who made furniture that would appeal to Americans at the turn of the century. Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian points out the characteristic design elements of this handmade piece.
Mystery Banner from 1916
The banner presented in this video is a mystery of unknown origin. It is a beautiful piece depicting four quadrants representing the Armenian dynasties. It also has several motifs and images including Mother Armenia, a shield, and a cradle. But where was this was meant to hang? We do know that the silk fabric at this time had lead added to it to make it more durable but also made it prone to tear because of how heavy it is. Do you have any answers about this banner?
A Replica of a 15th Century Khachkar
A khachkar, or Armenian cross-stone, is a carved memorial that often has additional motifs such as the tree of life and eternity symbol. The artifact in this video is one of two replicas. The original 15th century khachkar was gifted by the late Catholicos Vazgen I to St. Vartan’s Cathedral in New York. Before it was installed, a casting was made for two exact replicas, one of which is on display at the Museum of Natural History in New York and the other was donated to our collection.
Oversized Marash Embroidery Textile Now on View
In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shows us a unique Armenian textile that combines several styles including Marash embroidery. It is on loan from Nishan Kazazian, who wrote the following: “The piece is embroidered by my great aunt in Baghdad. Other than being a unique piece of artwork, it has many psychological elements attached to it (belonging and not, separation and connection).”
Garabed Gospel Passed Down for 800 Years
The Garabed Gospel is one of the most important manuscripts in the Armenian Museum of America's collection. The scribe Garabed completed this extraordinary work in 1207 during the reign of Cilician King Levon I. The Gospel was passed down for 800 years before finding its current resting place at the AMA. It was donated to our collection by Julie Der Garabedian.
The Prolific Works of Hamasdegh
Here in our library, we have gifts presented to Hamasdegh (Hampartsoum Gelenian) as well as several of his literary works. Hamasdegh was a prolific poet and writer who was known and honored for preserving Western Armenian literature. He started working for the "Hairenik" in 1918, adopting the pen name Hamasdegh . Some of his well-known works are the collections of stories “The Village” and "The Rain" which describe an Armenian village with its unique past and images. Other works include the novel "The White Horseman" and other short stories and poems.
Decorated Textiles
In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind Sinanian displays several textiles donated by the family of the late Anahid Iskian. Gary highlights one of his favorite pieces which is a beautiful hand-made crocheted lace angora wool sweater. The shell stitching in the delicately crocheted lapel and cuffs demonstrate just how impressive this really is.
Vibrant Paintings of Melkon Hovhannisyan
Melkon Hovhannisyan is a prominent painter and sculptor from Gandzak Village which is in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. Melkon graduated from Erevani Gexarvesti Petakan Akademia in 1970 with a very unique style of painting that he still uses today. Thanks to the Estate of Isabelle Hodgson, we have three spectacular abstract paintings here in our collection.