Armenian Embroidery

The practice of embroidery was widespread in Armenia throughout ages.  Depending on the period it was either a favorite pastime or a means of survival.

In Aristocratic households women embroidered on silk and tafetta using gold or silver thread, pearls and precious stones.  The Echmiadzin Museum has such fine samples of ceremonial dresses, collars, and curtains depicting biblical scenes.

The common person used the affordable cotton and wool threads. Both classes embroidered dresses, nightgowns, head covers, handkerchiefs and household items such as curtains, tablecloths, towels, pillow cases and tapestries.  Young girls embroidered for their trousseau mostly copying from samples of their mothers, but also making changes in the motif, design and colors.

Following the 1915 Armenian Genocide, embroidery, lace work and tapestry were revived in orphanages.  The Armenian Survivors spread the traditional needle craft, of Aintab, Marash, Urfa, Van,  Sepasdia, Kilis, Tikranakert, Cesarea, Zeitoun, Daron, Karin, Erzincan and other regions they had left behind.  Each Region of Armenia has its own unique style, motifs and uses different types of stitches.

Today the Armenian woman in Armenia has turned back to embroidery and needlework to provide for her family.  Working at home and following the footsteps of her ancestors she's recreating the ancient art hoping it will decorate your home and bring happiness to your and her household.

Each article is hand embroidered and it takes from between one to six months to comlete a piece, pending on the pattern, design and the size of  the canvas.

Visit the Armenian Embroidery Page and see it grow gradually, and if you would like to purchase an embroidery you know how to contact us!

We also accept orders for custom made articles, where you design and decide the size of canvas, color and made of thread, and motifs of the Region.