A unique Armenian carpet with horses from Artsakh-Karabakh

Depictions of a horse and a groom are frequent compositional elements on the carpets woven in the 19th-20th century in Artsakh mountainous regions of Armenia. The horse was perceived as a man’s companion in everyday life and during wartime. During ceremonies and processions, the horse was decorated with leather belts, metal rosettes, pendants, bells, buckles, and jewelry studded with semi-precious stones. Such are the horses depicted on the carpets woven in Artsakh as an essential item in the dowry.
The current wool carpet, woven in the early 1900s by the mother of Nina Arustamyan, a resident of Artsakh Berdashen village, was also a precious wedding gift. It is housed at the History Museum of Armenia.