A Legacy of Mastery & Elegance
The Timeless Craft of Armenian Goldsmiths
For centuries, Armenian goldsmiths have shaped the art of jewelry with unmatched craftsmanship and exquisite designs. This book unveils their hidden stories, techniques, and masterpieces, bringing history to life through dazzling jewels.
ANATOMY OF THE BOOK
This book is an unparalleled reference for Jewelers, Jewelry Enthusiasts, Jewelry Designers, Diamond Dealers, Collectors, Book Collectors, Art Enthusiasts, Antique Dealers, Auction Houses, Libraries, Universities, Historians, and anyone fascinated by the artistry of Armenian goldsmiths.
For centuries, Armenian goldsmiths have shaped the art of jewelry with unmatched craftsmanship and exquisite designs. This book unveils their hidden stories, techniques, and masterpieces, bringing history to life through dazzling jewels.
- 2 volumes in a special hard case, designed for preservation and elegance
- Nearly 2,000 jewelers’ names and works, including their seals and signatures (from 1700 onwards)
- Over 750 archival documents, shedding light on historical craftsmanship
- A stunning collection of 1,200 images, photographs, and tables
- 300 detailed drawings of exquisite jewelry
- 54 pages of reference notes and 18 pages of bibliography for in-depth research
- A 39-page index, making it a comprehensive resource
- Large-format dimensions: 24 x 33 cm
- Total weight (including packaging): 7.8 kg
TRACING THE LEGACY:
A SCHOLARLY EXPLORATION OF ARMENIAN GOLDSMITHS
- Jewelry from the 16th-20th centuries
- Orders and Medals
- Jewelry & Jeweler’s Documents
- Jewelers’ Seals
- Liturgical Objects
- Silver Objects
- Watches
- Arms and Swords
- Models
- Jewelry Drawings
Beyond their dazzling beauty, jewelry carry the weight of history, tradition, and identity. The legacy of Armenian goldsmiths is not merely an artistic achievement, it is a testament to resilience, innovation, and cultural influence. For centuries, these master artisans refined techniques, established workshops across major trade hubs, and produced some of the most sought-after jewelry of their time. Yet, much of their history remained fragmented, scattered across archives, personal collections, and forgotten records.
This book brings together years of meticulous research, combining historical documentation, archival discoveries, and artistic analysis to offer a comprehensive view of Armenian goldsmithing. By examining previously unpublished materials, including rare manuscripts, official decrees, and artisans’ personal seals, this work reconstructs a nearly lost history. Enriched with detailed illustrations and expert commentary, it offers an unparalleled scholarly resource, ensuring that the artistry and ingenuity of Armenian jewelers are preserved for future generations.
TREASURES FROM THE BOOK
HIGHLIGHTS
Discover rare stories, iconic jewelry, and fascinating insights from the world of Armenian goldsmiths. A closer look at history’s hidden gems.
In this book we reveal where the precious stones came from, where they were processed, who designed the jewels and where; who executed these designs, and who wore the jewelry, inside and outside the palace.
It describes a time when jewelry designs were hand drawn with a pencil, when skill and manual techniques were at the forefront rather than machines, when diamonds were cut using foot pedals, when the precious minerals were shaped by manual dexterity and hand drills, and when breath was used rather than oxygen.
Over hundreds of years the Armenian goldsmiths developed the art of jewelry with their peerless workmanship and elegant designs. This book tells their personal stories and describes their bitter-sweet relationship with the palace accompanied by interesting historical anecdotes.
Above and beyond being a prestigious book with its rich visual material, it is also a study of the history of Ottoman jewelry.
The interest awoken by this research of the exploits of Ottoman Armenian goldsmiths during the period stretching from the 16th to the 20th century and the praise received from my friends motivate me to study the world-wide activities of Armenian goldsmiths. I know that such a work would entail more effort and labor than the present book but I feel I have the strength and courage to start a new journey, should I live long enough.
Arsen Yarman