THE DEPICTION OF CARPET WEAVING IN TOMBSTONE ART

The article examines the depiction of the female carpet weavers in Armenian tombstone art from the late Middle Ages to modern times, viewing it as a supplementary source for studying carpet art of these periods. Particular attention is given to the symbolic, socio-cultural, and sculptural significance. The research is based on medieval tombstones from the villages of Ardvi (Lori) and Vorotan (formerly Urut, Syunik), as well as XIX- XX century examples from the Armenian cemetery of New Julfa, which depict female weavers with their tools, especially the loom (dazgah).

These images are interpreted as expressions of the deceased’s professional identity and collective memory, reflecting both the perception of women’s social roles and the broader system of cultural values. The study employs an integrated methodological approach, combining iconographic and comparative art-historical analysis, epigraphic readings, and field data correlation. It also addresses issues of origin and attribution concerning certain tombstones in Urut, as well as the role of Armenian women in New Julfa in preserving and transmitting carpet-weaving traditions under Islamic rule.

In conclusion, the article argues that tombstones depicting female weavers serve not only as expressions of individual and communal memory but also as significant visual testimonies to the historical continuity and cultural resilience of Armenian carpet art and identity.