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.
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.
Dagger Forged from the South
Hagop Mazmanian immigrated to the Boston area in the 1890’s and established a well-known grocery business. He brought along with him a dagger that is now part of our collection. Because of the curves of the blade and the floral designs we can tell that it was used in southern Armenia as well as in regions expanding as far as India. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian explains the characteristics that demonstrate the origin and use of this piece.
Spa Day
In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian talks about three metal pots from our collection that had a very unique purpose. These metal pots were used to collect mud and clay from the bottom of riverbeds. Much like the modern-day skin care routines of today, clay has been used for centuries to nourish our skin and hair.
Samovar
Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian is here to tell you an interesting and fun story about a ‘samovar’ in the Museum’s collection. Watch the video to hear Gary’s recollection of when the Museum first obtained this piece and the challenge it took to find information about its history and background, as well as the humor he brings to this recollection.
A samovar is a metal urn used to boil water for tea and it is traditionally used in Russia. It was developed in the mid-18th century, evolving into many different variations and styles. Its usage spread from Russia to Europe, Iran, India, and other parts of Asia.
In the 19th century, the Russian Empire exiled the Molokans—a minority Christian Russian group who did not subscribe to the tenets of the Russian Orthodox Church—to various parts of the Empire. Many Molokans settled in Armenia and their descendants continue to live in Armenia today. The largest settlement of Molokans in Armenia is in the village Fioletovo in the Lori Province near Lake Sevan. The Molokan community has been able to preserve their unique culture and identity, which includes the use of samovars, since settling in Armenia.
Rev. Fr. Paretchanian's Bowl and Silver Cup
Rev. Fr. Hagop Paretchanian (1830-1923) was regarded as a hero for being the first priest to minister to the Armenians in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares two silver pieces that were donated to the Museum by his great-granddaughter. Rev. Paretchanian is remembered for his steadfast efforts towards establishing the first Armenian Church in Boston, and also as a lovable man with a lot of character!
From the Towers of Urartu
In 2021, we relaunched our “art, culture, eternity” exhibition highlighting Armenian artifacts dating all the way back to the Urartu period more than 3,000 years ago. This collection of belts, bracelets, clay pots, and other pieces tell a story of skilled warriors protecting an enormous and powerful kingdom. Listen for more about these artifacts from our Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian, and we hope to see you in our galleries soon!
Machine from Our Past
Our collection includes several examples of vintage Armenian-English typewriters. Thanks to the Estate of Edward Alexanian, we can share this piece with our younger members that may have never even seen a typewriter! This video highlights a pristinely kept Hammond No. 12 that was one of the earliest typewriters ever made and has 38 keys to accommodate the Armenian alphabet.
The Magnificently Preserved Last Supper
As we gather around our tables for Easter, we are reminded of the Last Super in which Jesus bestowed grace upon his disciples and the world. The extraordinary etched table-top piece that Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses in this video was made in 1735 and weighs over 80 lbs. Thanks to Dr. Paul and Vicki Bedoukian we have this on display in our gallery today. Through taking a closer look, we have found many intricate details, characteristics, symbols and secrets behind the design of this table that you will find fascinating!
Normally we share items that are not in our collection that you might not otherwise have the chance to see but for this “Treasures from Our Collection” video, we wanted to share this beautiful item just in time for Easter.
Decorative Fishbowls
From 1860 to 1915, fishbowls were a very common type of dishware. These intricately designed pieces often had scenes of the city etched around the edges with a sculpted fish centered in the middle that wiggled around as liquid was poured into it. This art form was lost but was revived in Yerevan in the 1960’s. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian displays three silver plated antique fishbowls we have here at the Museum.
Stamped and Sealed
This video presents an interesting and newly acquired object from 1894. Can you guess what it was used for? At first glance, it may seem obvious that it was used to hold hot wax for stamps, but it was also useful in fortune telling. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses what types of people may have used this tool and its purpose at the turn of the century.
A Story of Survival and Daggers of the Collection
In 1914, this knife was used in the attempted murder of Georges Bezdjian’s father. How did his father escape, and how did Georges come to own this knife? Watch the video to hear Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian tell this incredible story of survival, and learn about two other daggers in the Museum’s collection.
Georges Bezdjian and his wife Elisa Bezdjian donated an extensive collection of Armenian jewelry to the Armenian Museum of America. These objects were on display from 2003-2011 in the exhibition, Silver, Saints & Stone. Historical pieces, primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries, contemporary pieces made in Soviet Armenia and the Diaspora, and works made by Bezdjian himself were featured in this extensive and elaborate presentation of Armenian craftsmanship.
Georges was born in Homs, Syria, and his family escaped the Genocide and migrated to Beirut, Lebanon. During Georges’ life, he opened jewelry businesses in Beirut, Lebanon, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Boston, Massachusetts. He was a noted jeweler in Boston, opening his business in 1966, and he was also an associate of the Armenian Museum. While studying objects, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian would sometimes request Georges’ assistance in analyzing jewelry and metalware including the ‘samovar’ that was featured in last week’s “Object Show and Tell.” Donated by Georges G. and Elisa Bezdjian
Slave Collar as a Weapon of War
During the Armenian Genocide, Edward Hovanesian witnessed the slaughter of his family. He was captured and endured physical pain that became a part of his tragic past. A spiked metal dog collar worn by Anatolian sheep dogs was fastened to his neck by his Turkish captors. After World War I he escaped, and the collar was brought to the United States in 1921 when he immigrated to join his brother in New England. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shows one of the objects in our collection that illustrate the inhumanity of the Genocide.