Wood Carving in Armenia

Wood Carving in Armenia

Element not inscribed in the National Registry of ICH оf Armenia

Domain: Skills and knowledge related to traditional crafts

The wood carving in Armenia has ancient traditions, which are based on the preparation of various kind of decorative-applied art using wood. These include a variety of everyday items (Armenian sweet (gata) decoration instrument, rolling pin, spoons, trays, etc.), baby toys, cribs, as well as musical instruments. All these are formed and decorated with typical ornaments of Armenian traditional wood art, with animal-plant motifs of Armenian decorative art. The best works of Armenian wood art are presented in the Hovhannes Sharambeyan Museum of Folk Arts with a special exhibition.

The collection includes old and new valuable samples of professional sculpture, applied art, traditional furniture and wooden architecture, wooden wind and string instruments as well as archaeological and everyday objects. The museum was like a kind of original school, where many craftsmen improved their professional skills. Their works are now exhibited in many museums of Armenia, Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

In order to preserve the traditions of wood carving, it is possible to ensure its transmission, which is carried out through educational and cultural programs and courses. In particular, the “Arar” program aimed at the safeguarding and transmission of ICH should be mentioned.

“Arar” program wood carving courses has widely spread in Noyemberyan, Jujevan, Voskevan, Ayrum, Zorakan, Haghtanak, Koti, Baghanis, Dօvegh communities of Tavush region of Armenia.The main aim of the program is safeguarding of the ICH in Armenia, particularly the traditions of Armenian wood carving, which contributes to the transmission and popularization of wood carving among the youth. They are able to make applicable objects based on the samples of Armenian ornamental art, which were widely used in Armenian daily life, such as ornamented wooden spoons, ladles, boxes, vases, trays and so on. They also create carved wooden bas-reliefs following the example of the samples of medieval miniature painting.