CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION

CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION By Maximillien de Lafayette

FASHION FOR DEITIES AND HUMAN BEINGS FROM THE DAWN OF HUMANITY TO THE EARLY 20th CENTURY

COMPARATIVE HISTORY AND SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF DEITIES, GODDESSES, GODS, WOMEN AND MEN ART OF FASHION AND DRESS-MAKING FROM THE BRONZE AGE TO EARLY 20th CENTURY

CHRISTIAN ANATOLIAN AND CHRISTIAN MIDDLE EASTERN ART OF DRESS-MAKING AND FOLKLORIC OUTFITS DESIGN

Photos from L to R: #1. Georgian woman gown influenced by Armenian couture, 19^th century- early 20^th century. #2. Georgian man suit, circa 1870-1886.

Unfortunately, we do not have enough documentation, written data and historical accounts pertaining to Middle Eastern Christian and Anatolian Armenian couture, ethnic dresses, costumes and dress-making. There is no doubt, that during the reign of the formidable kingdoms of Urartu and Cilicia, Armenians must have designed fabulous royal garments, uniforms, gowns, suits and costumes. They had their royalty, nobility and wealthy merchants, thus, their wealth, military power and economic prosperity would and could have enabled them to design and manufacture delightful costumes and outfits. It is well accepted by historians and scholars that during the reign of Shah Abbas of Persia in the 17^th century, the Armenian silk industry and trade flourished and prospered at many levels. Armenia dressed up many neighboring countries such as Albania, Romania, Georgia, even a large segment of the population of Anatolia, Malta, Cyprus and Greece. It is true that, at the very beginning, wealthy Armenian dignitaries and merchants used to purchase their silk material and costumes from China. But, later on, they quickly learned how to become silkworm cultivators and how to manufacture and produce their own silk. Already in the 3^rd century B.C., Armenia had become a very prosperous country and a major supplier and exporter of several and various goods, products, textiles, fabrics, bronze, silver, gold, ceramics, pottery, glass, etc.

Photo: A Young Armenian Boy, circa 1889-1920 .

During that century, fabulous costumes and garments were produced and widely used by the nobility, rich neighbors and the wealthy social class of Armenia. Some historical records reveal that the legendary costume of Queen Satenik was produced by Armenian artisan at that time in history. An ancient Phoenician terra-cotta tablet found in Ougarit recorded a manifesto of Phoenician shipment of goods and products exported to king Solomon by king Ahiram of Tyre which contained a long list of regionally made objects as well as imported products from the lands of the rivers. The list included several items and products which grew exclusively in the mountains of Phoenicia such as the famous Lebanese cedars, the blue cobalt vases and glasses manufactured in Tyre and Sidon, papyrus papers which were manufactured in Byblos, the Ourjawan coloring which was extracted from sea shells on the shore of Phoenicia as well as material and fabrics which were imported to Phoenicia from distant lands referred to as the lands of the rivers, a name frequently used to refer to ancient Armenia. Another passage in the tablets referred to the ancient Armenians as the traveling warriors. An appellation rarely mentioned by historians and archaeologists.

Photo: A 3,000 year old Armenian brooch (broche) shows two women wearing head scarves decorated with lace.

ARMENIAN FARMERS AND TRADERS ESTABLISHED THE FIRST SILKWORM CULTIVATION IN AMERICA

It is absolutely fascinating to learn that Armenians were the first people to introduce and establish the silk trade in America. It is well documented that Armenian traders and farmers brought the silkworm cultivation to the United States in 1,653 and began that cultivation in Jamestown, Virginia by the mid of 1,653. Along with their silkworm importation, early Armenian farmers and silk traders in the United States created the first scarlet-colored cochineal which back home, Armenian farmers and cultivators prepared from dried plants and insects indigenous to the areas and plateau of Mount Ararat. Later, in the years to come, Americans would begin to use this very special Armenian coloring process to dye wood, panels, cotton, silk, wool and various apparels.

Continues on the next page.