The first of the AJF Digital Library series was made possible thanks to an accord with Armenian American author Osep Tokat who entrusted AJF the task of digitizing his capital work Armenian Master Silversmiths. This bilingual publication was printed originally in English and Armenian by Van Publishing in Los Angeles in 2005. Thereafter, a revised edition was published by Aras in Istanbul in 2009. Tokat’s celebrated publication contains both research, as well as an invaluable collection featured through catalogued illustrations. Even though the author focuses on Van’s rich tradition of silversmithing, he also makes a brief introduction to the history of the Armenians and the history of Armenian jewellers in various communities. “Armenians have been the transmitters of may arts and crafts, not only within the borders of the Ottoman Empire, but throughout Russia, Iran, Georgia, Europe, Arab countries, India and the United States,” states the author. |
Geneva, Switzerland