Styles

The different styles of Armenian embroidery are named after the regions they are believed to have originated in. The best known styles are Aintab, Karin, Kilis, Marash, Ourfa, Svaz (Sebastia), and Van. Needlelace (known as "janyag"), was popular across Armenia, although there are also regional styles of needlelace too. 

That said, Armenians - both men and women - embroidered across historic Armenia. Just because Marash embroidery is famous for coming from Marash, doesn't mean an Armenian from Kharpert may not have known how to stitch in that style.

Likewise, while we associate embroidery as a domestic, female craft, there were many men who engaged in embroidery. Significantly, there were guilds (craft unions) dating from at least the 18th century in Constantinople. The members of these guilds would have been men, who were especially skilled in producing gold-thread embroidery seen in ecclesiastical vestments and in the dress of women from Upper Armenia in cities like Karin and Akhaltskha. 

Over time, we will publish dedicated pages to each style of Armenian embroidery.