Tag Archives: tombstone

DOI: 10.57192/18291864-2026.1-194

EPIGRAPHICAL NEWS OF THE GANDZASAR MONASTERY
from the Diary of a Priest

Co-author of the article, Father Bagrat Farishyan, 1989-1993 years was the spiritual shepherd of the Gandzasar monastery, a masterpiece of Armenian medieval architecture in Artsakh. During this time, he copied almost all the inscriptions from the monastery complex into his diary. They contain about seven dozen lapidary inscriptions, which for various reasons were not included in the works of previous researchers. These relatively new inscriptions complement the rich epigraphic heritage of the Gandzasar monastery, while at least their published version preserves them from possible vandalistic destruction.

These inscriptions are important primary sources not only for the study of the famous Gandzasar monastery, the Artsakh princely family of Hasan-Jalalyans, but also for the history of Armenia.

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.