Advancing the Heritage of Armenians in Jewellery
AJF LAUNCHES DIGITAL LIBRARY PROJECT DEDICATED TO THE HISTORY OF ARMENIAN JEWELLERY
AJF LAUNCHES DIGITAL LIBRARY PROJECT DEDICATED TO THE HISTORY OF ARMENIAN JEWELLERY |
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AJF is proud to announce the launch of its Digital Library project dedicated to the history of Armenian jewellery art. In the digital age, this project may resonate far more effectively among scholars, researchers and the public at large. The very rich history of Armenian applied arts throughout the ages is a treasure trove for those who examine cross-cultural influences and universal arts and crafts expressions – as well as craftsmen and designers seeking knowledge and inspiration. Further to the Treasures of Western Armenia publication realized through a collaboration agreement with the Saint Petersburg Ethnography Museum - as well as several other scholarly articles - AJF is now embarking on this new quest to present to the public existing and new analytical e-books and materials relevant to Armenian and global jewellery. 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. On this occasion, AJF asked world-renowned scholar and President of the Society of Jewellery Historians Jack Ogden to review the “remarkable” Armenian Master Silversmiths volume. We are very honoured to publish herewith, for first time, his critical article on this publication. AJF is very grateful to Dr. Ogden for his invaluable insights. |
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IF WE DO NOT SAFEGUARD OUR HERITAGE
WE WILL HAVE NOTHING IN THE FUTURE [Osep Tokat, Epilogue]
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Cover picture: Cross with relic, silver with precious stones. 1846. Lim, Vaspurakan. St. Ejmiatsin Museum. Մասունքով խաչ։ Արծաթ եւ թանկագին քարեր։ 1846։ Լիմ, Վասպուրական։ Սբ. Էջմիածնի թանգարան։ |
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Access Osep Tokat's e-book at Armenian Master Silversmiths | |