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.

Century-old Kitchenware

Thanks to the generosity of our friend Diane Mott, we have two items in our collection from Armenian kitchens of the late 1800’s. Diane is a renowned textile specialist as well as a former curator of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and a curator from the Young Museum in CA. She donated a metal pot and a colander both of which were commonly used handmade kitchen tools. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian showcased these intricately designed and inscribed pieces that were found in homes of that time period.

Women’s Accessories, and a Painting from Kiev

This week we are sharing two accessories from the late 1800’s. One is a metal box engraved with floral designs and the other is Armenian needlework from the region of Erzurum. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian also shares a painting of Geghard Monastery by Ukranian-Armenian painter Vladimir Savadian, which was donated to the Museum after his exhibition here in the 1990’s.

Rare Recording by Armenag Shahmuradian

The most prominent Armenian opera singer of the early 20th century was Armenag Shahmuradian. Trained in Paris and known as the protege of Gomidas Vartabed, he established a new record label and created a distinct, recognizable sound. We recently acquired a very rare recording of Shahmuradian, which Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares along with background on the prominent tenor.

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.

Helmets of Salvation

A saghavart or crown is a type of headgear that is traditionally worn by most Armenian priests. This beautifully crafted crown is designed with twelve arched pieces that are joined to form a peak which is topped by a cross. The saghavart was not always worn by priests but rather by bishops until the times of the Crusades. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights a piece from 1822 that was generously donated by Paul and Vicki Bedoukian.

Mourad Marching Band

In the early 1940’s, marching bands were a fixture in every American ethnic group. Here at the Armenian Museum of America we have a saxophone, trumpet and a clarinet from the Mourad Marching Band of Providence, RI. Unfortunately, as men returned from war, they did not return to the same pastimes and marching bands slowly became unpopular. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares yet another piece of the Armenian American experience.

Hidden in Her Braids

In 1987 this item was brought to us in a trunk from Helen Takesian of Tuscon, AZ. This carved wooden tea and coffee box tells the story of her grandfather, Krikor Melkonian, a well-known merchant that took up the hobby of wood carving. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian tells a beautiful story of how coins hidden in his daughters’ braids began this hobby and saved his life!

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.

Ross Bagdasarian and the Chipmunks

Armenian-American entertainer Ross Bagdasarian from Fresno collaborated with his cousin, author William Saroyan, to co-write the song “Come On-A My House,” which hit number one for Rosemary Clooney in 1951. This tune and a few others evolved and became novelty songs. This led to the inspiration for the cartoon characters Alvin and the Chipmunks. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses how the creation of a unique sound transformed into something that is still popular among children today.

The Photographic Realism of John Berberian

John Berberian of Providence, Rhode Island, is an artist that draws in the style of photographic realism. This American art movement also known as super-realism began in the 1960s and took photography as its inspiration. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights two of John's incredibly detailed works depicting well-known Armenians.

An American Classic Translated

Many novels were translated into Armenian in the 19th century. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe was an immediate sensation and was translated into over 35 different languages. During the first year of publication, more than 200,000 copies were sold in the United States and over one million in England. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses several editions in our collection.

Calendars

Every December we all get inundated with organizations and businesses sending us promotional calendars. Maybe your grandmother gives you one each Christmas. But in the age of digital calendars on our smartphones, who needs these, right? Maybe not. Watch as Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the calendars in our collection and the important history they document.

Please note: Mr. Lind-Sinanian says "Massis" when he meant "Marash". Massis Bakery still exists in Watertown!

Modern Diaspora Artists

So often we share our more historical pieces with you in our weekly videos, but this week we are sharing items from the more recent past! Diaspora artists offer interesting points of view due to their common Armenian heritage combined with their different adopted homes.In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses two diaspora artists in our collection, Eduard Kazarian and Marie Batlle, and what inspired them to create.

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.

Saz and Kamancha

This week we are featuring two more instruments from our folk music exhibition. The saz is a plucked stringed instrument that was often carved from a single piece of wood. The kamancha is also a stringed instrument played with a horsehair bow that can be compared to a violin. The great Sayat Nova would always have one by his side. These pieces are on display in our second-floor galleries as part of an exhibition mounted in honor of the late Fred Margosian, a dedicated member of our Board of Trustees. In this video Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian explains how these instruments helped to shape Armenian music.

Oud & Dumbeg

This week we are featuring instruments that reflect the Armenian-American musical experience. These pieces are on display in our second-floor galleries as part of a music exhibition mounted in honor of the late Fred Margosian, a dedicated member of our Board of Trustees. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian explains how the oud and dumbeg became two of the most important instruments in Armenian-American music. 

Folk Instruments

We hold an extensive collection of folk instruments dating back to the 19th century. We recently installed a gallery exhibition of these wonderful pieces in honor of the late Fred Margosian, one of our beloved Trustees. Some of the instruments may be familiar like the clarinet or trumpet, while others are unique to Armenia and surrounding cultures. In our new video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses these popular instruments.

Karsh Portraits

The Armenian Museum of America features a hugely popular exhibition of famous Yousuf Karsh portraits in the Bedoukian Galleries, generously donated by his widow Mrs. Estrellita Karsh. We are also fortunate to have several other Karsh photographs that are not on display. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanan shares the images of opera singer Marian Anderson, as well as Karsh’s self-portrait together with Jim Henson and Kermit.