A Chinese Carpet in the Medici Collections: New Evidence for Sinology and Cross‑Cultural Exchange
For centuries, a large needlework carpet stored at the Pitti Palace in Florence was catalogued as Persian, Turkish, or, more recently, European. A new study by Ilenia Pittui of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, published in Kervan – International Journal of Afro‑Asiatic Studies, demonstrates that the carpet is in fact a 17th‑century Chinese production. The investigation combines close visual examination, diagnostic material analysis, and archival research, and it calls into question the origins of two comparable pieces at the Topkapı Palace Museum in Istanbul and the Louvre Museum in Paris.The object (inv. no. MPP 10562) is a large table carpet
Armenian Presence in the Production and Circulation of Ship-Decorated Early Modern Ceramics and Textiles
by Ani Margaryan The depiction of sailing vessels on a diverse corpus of objects d’art—from Iznik and Kütahya ceramics produced in Asia Minor to Chinese export porcelains manufactured in Jingdezhen for international markets—serves as more than a decorative motif. The ship functions as a visual signifier of transregional maritime networks in which Armenian merchants and artisans operated as central agents. The recurrence of the ship across Ottoman and Chinese material culture from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries corresponds to the documented expansion of commercial routes connecting the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and the South China Sea, routes in which Armenian
Diaspora Youth Ambassador to China Hosts Online Meeting to Present Diaspora Programs
On March 1, Mane Vardanyan, the Diaspora Youth Ambassador to China, held an online meeting to present the 'Diaspora Youth Ambassador' program and other initiatives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. The participants of the meeting were introduced to the Office's activities and raised their questions of interest. Screenshot
A Pair of Armenian-Inscribed Rare Gloves: Stitching History, Family, Tradition, and Loss
By Ani Margaryan Within the collection of the History Museum of Armenia resides a pair of cataloged wool gloves, designated E-No. 1303 and attributed to the late nineteenth century, with an unknown place of origin. The artifact's primary historical link is an Armenian inscription woven into the fabric: “ՍԱՐԳԻՍ ՍԻՄԱՎՈՆԵԱՆ” — Sargis Simavonian. This onomastic evidence connects the object to a specific familial lineage and contextualizes it within the broader historical narrative of the Armenian Genocide. Research indicates the Simavonian family originated in Bayburt, a region of northeastern Anatolia characterized by a severe continental climate, where woolen hand coverings held practical
Armenian Student Shares Heritage at Tianjin Normal University, China
On December 31st, 2025, Tianjin Normal University’s festive atmosphere was enriched by a vibrant display of cultural pride. Armenian student Anahit Hakobyan took to the stage during the celebrations, performing a lively traditional Armenian dance that captivated the audience.Her performance was accentuated by the authentic Armenian national costume (taraz) she wore, provided by ChinArmArt. As the only dedicated collection of Armenian traditional garments in China, ChinArmArt was honored to help bring a piece of Armenia’s visual heritage to the stage.Anahit’s dance and attire sparked meaningful conversations about Armenian culture among the international student community, beautifully illustrating how tradition can travel,
