Armenia’s Rich Carpet-Making Tradition: From 7000 BCE to the Modern Day
Armenia has a long carpetmaking tradition, beginning thousands of years ago in the pre-Christian era and continuing today. These colorful, patterned artisanal woven textiles are one of the most emblematic traditions of Armenian culture. Each Armenian carpet is its own unique “text,” as the weaves incorporate sacred symbols related to the beliefs and religious iconography of ancient ancestors.
Tourists who visit the capital, Yerevan, should consider scheduling a stop at one of the city’s many traditional carpet shops to bring home a stunningly beautiful and unique memento. Let’s take a journey through the history of carpetmaking in Armenia and the best place to pick up your own traditional Armenian carpet or rug.
The History of Armenian Carpet making
For thousands of years, Armenians have used decorative woven carpets to cover their homes' floors, furniture, and walls. Carpets have also traditionally served as entrance veils to different rooms. Throughout Armenia’s long history as a Christian nation, various churches have used carpets to decorate altars.
The Early Days
Although carpetmaking is an ancient art form in Armenia, very few of the region’s first carpets have been found. Archaeologists have found rug fragments dating back as far as the 7th century BCE, but no complete or nearly complete rugs from this era have been discovered.
However, some historians believe that the oldest knotted carpet ever discovered, the Pazyryk carpet, may be of Armenian origin. This knotted carpet was found in a Siberian tomb and has been dated to between the 5th and 3rd centuries BCE. The Pazyryk carpet exhibits distinct Armenian characteristics, notably its use of the Armenian double knot weave and the rich deep red hue of its fibers, which are derived from the Armenian cochineal, a scaled insect known for its vibrant crimson coloration.
Carpetmaking in the Christian Era
In 301 CE, Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as an official state religion. This transition to Christianity sparked a transformation of Armenian culture, including the carpetmaking of the region. Carpetmakers predominately focused on Christian themes and imagery, a practice that continues in modern Armenian carpetmaking.
During the Middle Ages, Armenia started exporting carpets, reaching as far as China. In fact, some Medieval Chinese works of art depict carpets with typical Armenian designs, including some with Christian imagery.
This era was also transformative for Armenian architecture. Carpetmaking and architecture grew alongside each other and influenced each other. Armenian churches were decorated with the famous Armenian cross-stones and manuscript art, which incorporated traditional carpet motifs. The cross-stones also eventually became prominent in the carpets of the region.
How the Armenian Genocide Affected Carpetmaking
Before the Armenian Genocide and World War I, Armenia was considered a protected, albeit subordinate, region of the Ottoman Empire. However, in addition to the tragic loss of life, the Ottomans also attempted to erase Armenian culture. Carpets produced in the region were given the commercial name “Turkish carpets,” but evidence shows that most carpet weavers in the Ottoman Empire during this period were Armenians.
Countless expert carpet weavers were lost in the genocide and countless children were orphaned. A humanitarian organization called the Near East Relief rescued many of these orphans, and some of them were sent to Beirut, where a rug factory was established to teach young orphans the art of rug weaving. One of these rugs was given to the White House as a gift in 1925 as a show of gratitude and goodwill from the orphans to the American people.
Carpetmaking Under Soviet Rule
Armenian fell under Soviet rule in 1920, which led to a further transformation in carpetmaking. Previously, most Armenian carpets were made at home, but the Soviet Union commercialized the craft and had them produced at scale. However, many Armenians continued making their own, deeply personal carpets at home.
Since the Soviet Union was a secular state, the Christian iconography that had dominated Armenian carpetmaking for centuries became highly discouraged during this era. Both non-political and Soviet-themed carpets were produced, including some that depicted Communist leaders.
Carpetmaking in the Modern Era
Following the fall of the Soviet Union, Armenia’s carpetmaking tradition went back to its roots. Private businesses began selling carpets again and home workshops became popular. Weavers abandoned the restrictions imposed under Soviet Rule and began incorporating traditional motifs in their carpets, such as imagery from Armenian churches. After the first Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-94), many carpetmaking workshops were established to help Armenian refugees find employment.
Where to Buy Armenian Carpets and Rugs in Yerevan
In the bustling capital city of Yerevan, you'll find numerous carpet shops where skilled artisans carry on the ancient art of Armenian carpetmaking. In my opinion, Megerian Carpet stands out as the top choice. This is both a carpet factory and a museum, offering visitors the chance to learn about the tradition from knowledgeable guides before buying a recently made traditional carpet with intricate designs.