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.
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.
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.
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?
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).”
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.
Urban Crocheted Lace
Historically, a tiny crochet hook was used to make exquisite lace such as this. In this unique and delicate variation of crochet, you create lacy designs with a miniscule hook and thread. Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shows us a hook that was used to make loops from chains of thread. Because of the design, we can infer that it came from an urban area rather than a village.
Karagheusian’s Herati Rugs
What do Armenian rugs and Bruce Springsteen have in common? Take a look at this video as Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian tells a story of the Karagheusian Herati Rug Factory of Freehold, New Jersey. We have many historic objects in our collection from the factory's early days. Herati rugs traditionally feature a small geometric base that may include small flowers, or rosettes, encased in a rhombus and surrounded by leaves.
An Inscribed Armenian Rug
This video features just one of the many exemplary objects donated to our collection by the late Haig Der Manuelian, the larger-than-life Chairman and Co-Founder of the Armenian Museum of America. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian describes the characteristic features of this Kazakh-style rug dated 1914 and remembers a dear friend, visionary, and leader.
Silk Cocoon Embroidery
At the turn of the century, cultures in the far east would discard silk cocoons after they could no longer be used for silk threads, but Armenians would cut and shape the cocoon for embroidery. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights two pieces that used this type of technique from 1903 and 1906.
Signature Textiles of Wealth
Byzantine motifs adorn fine silk clothing, exceptional needle lace is on the edges of almost every textile, and everything was designed with luxury in mind. This is a glimpse into a wooden 1897 chest containing items belonging to Aroussiag Iskian, Anahid Iskian, and Marie Iskian Tevonian. The collection illustrates what a more well-to-do Armenian family might own during the late 19th and early 20th century. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights a few items from this thoughtfully organized family heirloom collection.
Armenian Embroidery
When we see a textile in the Museum, we may see it as an art form of the past. The Armenian Museum is proud to exhibit laces, regional embroidery styles, liturgical pieces, and other items that demonstrate the customs of previous generations. While the ones in our collection are historical, it is important to note that these traditions are alive and well today. In fact, we offer textiles, home decor, literature, and toys in our gift shop, all of which echo the traditions found in our galleries!
Armenian Rugs
Did you know the Armenian Museum of America has the largest Armenian rug collection in North America? We have more than 225 pieces, and 160 of these rugs have Armenian inscriptions. There are many characters, colors, and motifs that distinguish an Armenian rug including certain colors, an eight-pointed star, a sideways “S”, dragons, and crosses to name a few. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights three rugs that date back to the 1800's and are currently on display in our first-floor gallery.
Kilis Textiles
The town of Kilis was featured prominently in a New York Times article this week regarding Syrian immigration to Turkey. Kilis was once a hub of Armenian needlework. “Kilis work” is a form of reverse applique and the Museum’s collection includes several examples of large 36 inch square bundle cloths made using this technique. In this video Collections Curator and Textile Curator Gary and Susan Lind-Sinanian discuss the technique and history of Kilis work.
Thorndike Mills
Most people are familiar with Armenian knotted rugs, but the Museum also has a small collection of what are sometimes referred to as “Granny rugs.” These American-style rugs date back to the early 1900s and were typically made by braiding scraps of fabric together and sewing the braid around itself. Thorndike Mills was known throughout the world for its braided rugs. What is less known, is that the company was run from 1957 to 2019 in Palmer, MA, by the Garabedian Family. Armenian entrepreneur Gabriel Garabedian was the head of the company that produced rugs seen in kitchens and doorways across America. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares how this company was started and what made the production of these rugs so unique. One of the Thorndike Mills rugs, donated by the Garabedian Family, is on display in our “Family Case” for visitors to see as they begin their tour.
How to Begin a Marash Embroidery
In the past our Textile Curator, Susan Lind-Sinanian has offered embroidery classes on site. Last week she discussed the types of Marash embroideries we have in our collection in anticipation of this week’s Marash embroidery “how-to” video.
About Marash Embroidery
The Museum is excited to be open again. At the same time, we are continuing to offer virtual programming for people who are unable to visit. In the past our Textile Curator Susan Lind-Sinanian has offered embroidery classes on site. This week she discusses a few Marash embroideries in our collection in anticipation of a “how-to” video next week. This video highlights some of our fabulous embroideries and learn about ways they were used.
Marash Embroidery Supplemental Video
Watch as Textile Curator Susan Lind-Sinanian reviews some of the relevant literature and history of Marash embroidery.
Rug Book Collection
The Armenian Museum houses over 200 Armenian rugs, but more than ten times that number of books about rugs! In this week’s video Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses one of these books that itself is a piece of history - it is the first book written about rugs by art historian Julius Lessing. Watch this video to learn about our collection and the significance of this book in particular.
Wedding Dress
In America we typically envision wedding dresses as flowing white gowns, but in Armenia this was not the case. Instead a very fine dress would be worn, which would also be worn at other important events throughout the woman’s life. The dress in this video is not only representative of the Armenian wedding dress style from Erzurum, but is a testament to the spread of cultural traditions and styles as the people who practice them move around the globe. In this video you can learn more about the history of this dress with Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian.