The embroidery arts of Armenia have been passed down from mother to daughter through the generations for over 300 years. Originally used to create dowry pieces that demonstrated the skill and aesthetic of the bride, each piece contains intricate geometric or floral designs that have remained virtually unchanged throughout the years.

Several years ago, Mehmet Cetinkaya, a renowned dealer of traditional weavings and textiles from Central Asia, began working with a group of Armenian women who still possessed the embroidery skills of their ancestors. Today, the embroidery project started by Cetinkaya has succeeded in empowering a large group of women to earn a sustainable income, and re-energize a textile tradition whose stunning silk and natural-dyed embroideries are direct descendants of those seen in Armenia’s National Museum.