Megerian Carpets Weave Armenian Traditions

Megerian Carpets Weave Armenian Traditions

By Lucine Kasbarian

Keghart.org

August 2024

To access live links and photos/captions, visit: www.keghart.org/kasbarian-megerian-carpets/

Once in a while, one comes across an initiative that gets everything right: a high concept philosophy, superb products, an inspiring mission, genuine patriotism and flawless execution. Megerian Carpets is just such an operation.

Megerian Carpets is deadly serious about its stewardship of the formidable, endangered practice of ancient Armenian carpet weaving. “The carpets are not just products. They are vessels that embody and preserve cultural heritage,” says President Raffi Megerian. “Ancient techniques converge with modern artistry to not only create, display and sell carpets but also to revive and honor the rich traditions of carpet making,” he continued. For his commitment to a weaving revival in Armenia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Megerian deservedly received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2015.

Clearly, Megerian Carpets is not just a company but a cultural institution and way of life. It showcases and celebrates the multi-faceted artistry of time-honored Armenian carpet-making alongside equally arresting cultural features such as traditional Armenian national dress and jewelry, indigenous cuisine and folk song and dance. Throughout the year, all of these features are interwoven into a harmonious display at the Megerian Carpet Cultural Complex for natives and tourists alike to savor and enjoy.

Evolving History

The Megerian Carpet Factory was established in 1917 in New York City by Hovannes John Megerian, the grandfather of today’s owners, Raffi, Harout and Thomas Megerian. While Megerian Carpets maintain their presence in New York via their showroom, repair and cleaning operations, the Megerian flagship store is in Yerevan.

Initially, Megerian sold antique and newer Oriental rugs exclusively. Over time, the principals began to apply their extensive knowledge about natural dyes, wool characteristics and traditional Armenian knotting techniques to restore existing antique rugs. The Megerians then took their proficiency directly to the loom to produce carefully modified reproductions of antique originals by successfully blending Old World craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities. In 2002, the Megerian brothers purchased Aygorg Union, a Soviet rug-weaving company in Armenia at which time they switched from Aygorg’s chemicals to all-natural organic Armenian dyes and replaced Aygorg’s Persian 1.5 knot method with the superior Armenian double-knot weaving format – the world’s oldest and longest lasting knotting technique. A principal aim was to revive the craft that was wiped out during the Soviet industrial rug production period and to instruct weavers on the interpretation of symbols woven into these carpets via uniquely Armenian designs, exquisite motifs, emblems and border work, each with geographic specificity.

Concurrent with the efforts undertaken by Tufenkian Artisan Carpets in Armenia, Megerian Carpets actively revitalized this craft to ensure that the time-worn art of Armenian carpet weaving persists among living Armenian practitioners. The Megerian Carpet Cultural Complex houses a rug production facility, a museum of brilliantly patterned carpets 100-400 years old, a traditional Armenian culinary arts school and restaurant run by ethno-gastronomist Sedrak Mamulyan, and a very active marketing program that single-handedly carries out the work of an Armenian embassy, a tourism bureau and a diaspora ministry combined.

Learning By Doing

Today, Megerian Carpets is the largest rug-making facility in Armenia. The time-worn tradition of Armenian hand-made weaving is executed by more than 30 employees, taught to compatriots throughout Armenia and shown to visitors who can book an appointment to actively participate in the carpet creation process. “It takes about nine months to produce one carpet, the same gestation period leading up to childbirth,” says a Megerian spokesperson.

Every carpet tells a story – the inimitable patterns and symbols convey messages and moreover prove the Armenian origin of the artifact. Natural dyes such as madder root (a deep red) are unique to Armenian carpets and keep their vivid colors in spite of exposure and time. Other carpet colors with staying power come from natural elements such as pomegranate rind, walnut and mulberry tree bark and dried wildflower.

Among its many holdings, the Megerian Carpet Museum spotlights a print facsimile of a carpet remnant on display in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. The world’s oldest known carpet was discovered in the Pazyryk Valley of the Altai Mountains in 1947. Particularly well preserved, the Pazyryk carpet, as it is now called, has been dated to around 2,500 BC by carbon-14 testing. The Armenian provenance was confirmed by experts such as German art historian Volkmar Gantzhorn thanks to ornamentation and motifs which continue to be used by Armenians until today. Further confirmations were established by noting the Armenian double knot technique and the red filament color that was made from Armenian cochineal, a scale insect from which the natural dye carmine is derived. Of course, counter claims, misappropriations and cultural theft by Armenia’s adversaries is commonplace – and actively visible in media, auction houses, black market acquisitions and unfounded assertions brought to UNESCO. Along with other committed activists, Megerian Carpets contributes its expertise to prove Armenian origins of carpets in the public, cultural and commercial sphere whenever possible.

Marketing Moxie

The Megerian Carpet Cultural Complex is both showroom and showplace. Vibrantly colored carpets are on stunning visual display in a magnificent locale where the rich history and intricate techniques of carpet creation come to life. The interior spaces and courtyard are often used for modeling photo shoots, music videos, folkloric musical instrument lessons, formal performances, art exhibits, private parties and catered dinners. Across the courtyard is where cuisine preservationist Mamulyan hosts live cooking demonstrations, sit-down dinners, master classes and tutorials for visiting chefs from around the world who come to learn about traditional Armenian gastronomy.

One grand gesture by Megerian has been to present their rugs to individuals who have advanced the Armenian Cause (caveat: recipients must come to Armenia to receive their gift and enjoy Armenia in person). Beneficiaries have included Charles Aznavour, George Clooney, Kim Kardashian, Conan O’Brien and NJ Congressman Frank Pallone.

The Megerian Carpet Complex stands out as a proud symbol of Armenian cultural expression, combining traditional techniques with modern influences to preserve the ancient art of carpet weaving. It has earned its place as a must-visit destination for anyone planning a trip to Armenia.