Armenian Orphan Rug

Last updated
The Armenian Orphan Rug, also known as the Ghazir Orphans' Rug Ghazir Rug.jpg
The Armenian Orphan Rug, also known as the Ghazir Orphans' Rug

The Armenian Orphan Rug, also known as the Ghazir Orphans' Rug, is an Armenian styled carpet woven by orphans of the Armenian genocide in Ghazir, Lebanon. The carpet took eighteen months to make and was eventually shipped to the United States where it was given to President Calvin Coolidge as a gift in 1925. It was returned by the Coolidge family to the White House in 1982. Its most recent public display was in November 2014 at the White House Visitors' Center as part of the exhibition "Thank you to the United States: Three Gifts to Presidents in Gratitude for American Generosity Abroad".

Contents

History

Due to the Armenian genocide, thousands of orphans and refugees were resettled in the Middle East and placed in orphanages throughout the region. One hundred thousand orphans were assisted by Near East Relief, an American-led relief organization. [1] An orphanage run by Near East Relief in Ghazir, Lebanon, housed many such orphans. In the early 1920s, as a token of appreciation for Near East Relief having protected them, four hundred orphaned girls wove a carpet over the course of 18 months. [1] [2] [3] It was intended as a gift to the United States, and was formally presented to President Calvin Coolidge on December 4, 1925. [4] A label on the back of the rug reads, "In Golden Rule Gratitude to Coolidge". This is a reference to the "Golden Rule" campaign: each year, on the first Sunday in December, people in the United States were asked to eat only a one-course meal and contribute the money saved to the Near East Relief. [5]

US President Calvin Coolidge (left) receiving the rug from John H. Finley as a gift from the Armenian orphans Coolidge armenian orphan rug.jpg
US President Calvin Coolidge (left) receiving the rug from John H. Finley as a gift from the Armenian orphans

The gift of the rug received nationwide coverage. [6] Coolidge remarked in a letter to the vice-president of Near East Relief, "The rug has a place of honor in the White House where it will be a daily symbol of goodwill on earth". [7] [3] Coolidge displayed the rug in the White House's Blue Room. After his presidential term ended in 1929, the carpet was taken to his home in Northampton, Massachusetts. [4] [3] The rug lay in the living room of his house until his death in 1933, after which Mrs. Coolidge kept the rug in her home in Northampton until her death in 1957. After a period in storage, the Coolidge family returned the rug to the White House in 1982, where it was placed in storage, not on public display. [3] [4]

Design

The carpet contains designs that may depict scenes from the Adam and Eve story. [1] [3] The rug measures 11 feet 7 inches by 18 feet 5 inches (3.53 m by 5.61 m), and contains over four million hand-woven knots. [8] [9] [4] The rug features lions, unicorns, eagles, and birds as part of its overall design. [8] In the middle of the carpet is a medallion-shaped design. [3]

Exhibition

The Armenian Orphan Rug was removed from storage in 1984 and 1995. [8] In 1995, it was temporarily removed from the storage room of the White House to show it to Vartoohi Galezian, one of its original weavers, and her family. [9] However, it wasn't publicly displayed. [9]

In January 2013, Paul Michael Taylor, director of the Smithsonian Institution's Asian cultural history program, held preliminary discussions with White House curator William G. Allman about the possibility of displaying the rug at the Smithsonian on December 16, 2013, as part of an event sponsored by the Armenian Rugs Society and the Armenian Cultural Foundation, which would include a book launch for Hagop Martin Deranian's President Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug. [1] The proposal was later backed by a letter signed by a bipartisan group of 33 U.S. Congressmen supporting the removal of the rug from storage. [10] But on September 12, Taylor cancelled the event, citing the White House's decision to decline the requested loan of the rug as the reason. [1]

The White House had not offered an explanation to Taylor for its refusal to lend the carpet, and Taylor did not want to speculate on the reason. However others speculated that the decision not to loan the carpet was fear of negative reaction from Turkey. US Congressman Adam Schiff (D-California) said in an interview, "It's hard for me to reach any conclusion but that they don't want to offend Turkey. If that's their motivation, that's completely unacceptable". [10] The Armenian National Committee of America linked the refusal to loan the carpet to President Barack Obama's position on the Armenian genocide, citing his refusal to officially recognize the Genocide, his blocking of Congressional legislation to mark the event, his Solicitor General's opposition to efforts in U.S. courts to allow American citizens to pursue Genocide-era property claims, and his administration's sending of senior officials to speak at events organized by Armenian genocide deniers while refusing to attend Congressional observances of the Genocide. [11]

On November 12, 2013, the White House responded to the allegations. Laura Lucas Magnuson, spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said, "Displaying the rug for only half a day in connection with a private book launch event, as proposed, would have been an inappropriate use of U.S. government property, would have required the White House to undertake the risk of transporting the rug for limited public exposure, and was not viewed as commensurate with the rug's historical significance". [12] The White House also said that the decision to keep the rug in storage "does not preclude" the possibility that it might be displayed sometime in the future. [10] [13]

The Armenian Orphan Rug was displayed at the White House Visitor Center in November 2014 as part of the temporary exhibition "Thank you to the United States: Three Gifts to Presidents in Gratitude for American Generosity Abroad". [14] [5] The exhibition displayed three objects gifted to America as a response to American aid after international catastrophes: the Armenian Orphan Rug; a French vase presented to President Herbert Hoover after World War I; and Japanese cherry and dogwood blossoms encased in acrylic, given to President Obama. [8] The display caption for the rug was criticized for avoiding mention of the Armenian genocide, and failing to explain "who these orphans were, where they were from, why were they orphaned, who made them orphans, or what was done (or not done) to set things right". [15]

Legacy and recognition

President Calvin Coolidge: [3]

This beautiful rug woven by children in Lebanon has been received. This, their expression of gratitude for what we’ve been able to do for this country for their aid, is accepted by me as a token of their goodwill to the people of the United States who have assisted in the work of the Near East Relief. Please extend to these orphans my thanks and the thanks of the vast number of our citizens whose generosity this labor of love is intended to acknowledge. The rug has a place of honor in the White House where it will be a daily symbol of goodwill on earth.

Congressman Frank Pallone: [7]

The White House has taken an important step in recognizing historical accuracy by displaying the Armenian orphan rug. The rug was presented to President Coolidge on behalf of the Armenian people to honor the U.S. assistance provided during the Armenian genocide. As a result, this cultural treasure has become a symbol of the strong and historic ties between the United States and Armenia. I sent a letter to President Obama urging him to allow this unique gift to go on display in a place where all Americans could view it. I believe that past attempts to keep this rug behind closed doors were fueled by the Turkish government’s desire to prevent any further dialogue about the Armenian genocide. It is my hope that the rug’s exhibition will facilitate academic discourse and allow the American people to reflect on our positive role during a dark period of history.

Congressman Adam Schiff: [16]

The Ghazir Rug is not just a carpet; it is a tangible connection to the first genocide of the Twentieth Century – a silent, beautiful rebuttal to those who deny the murder of 1.5 million men, woman and children in a campaign of mass murder, forced marches, rape and looting that befell the Armenian people from 1915-23. As the world prepares to commemorate the centennial of the genocide, the Ghazir Rug brings to life the shattered families and the mass inhumanity that was visited upon the Armenian people. And I hope that it can serve to educate a new generation of Americans about one of the great tragedies of history and leads to a redoubling of efforts in 2015 to finally and forever, honor the genocide of the Armenians without equivocation. One hundred years is a long time to wait and the Armenian people should not have to wait any longer. History is replete with tragedy and barbarism, but it is also filled with stories of humanity, courage and faith. The Ghazir Rug embodies all of these and stands as a potent symbol of triumph against evil, our solidarity with the victims of persecution everywhere, and our special bond with the Armenian people.

Congressman Jim Costa: [8]

The Armenian Orphan Rug not only symbolizes the terror and the struggle of the Armenian people, but also their fighting spirit.

Congresswoman Judy Chu: [14]

For the last 10 years, the Armenian American community has fought to get this rug released and displayed to the public. This is only a first step. This story reinforces why Congress must pass a resolution to recognize the Armenian genocide.

Washington Post arts and architecture critic Philip Kennicott: [17]

It's a big rug. It's a beautiful piece. It has on it many images of animals and plants and there is the sense by people who know what these images suggest, that it represents probably the garden of Eden.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calvin Coolidge</span> President of the United States from 1923 to 1929

Calvin Coolidge was an American attorney and politician who served as the 30th president of the United States from 1923 to 1929.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carpet</span> Textile floor covering

A carpet is a textile floor covering typically consisting of an upper layer of pile attached to a backing. The pile was traditionally made from wool, but since the 20th century synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, nylon, or polyester have often been used, as these fibers are less expensive than wool. The pile usually consists of twisted tufts that are typically heat-treated to maintain their structure. The term carpet is often used in a similar context to the term rug, but rugs are typically considered to be smaller than a room and not attached to the floor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tibetan rug</span>

Tibetan rug making is an ancient, traditional craft. Tibetan rugs are traditionally made from Tibetan highland sheep's wool, called changpel. Tibetans use rugs for many purposes ranging from flooring to wall hanging to horse saddles, though the most common use is as a seating carpet. A typical sleeping carpet measuring around 3 ft × 5 ft is called a khaden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Persian carpet</span> Term for a handmade carpet from Iran

A Persian carpet or Persian rug, also known as Iranian carpet, is a heavy textile made for a wide variety of utilitarian and symbolic purposes and produced in Iran, for home use, local sale, and export. Carpet weaving is an essential part of Persian culture and Iranian art. Within the group of Oriental rugs produced by the countries of the "rug belt", the Persian carpet stands out by the variety and elaborateness of its manifold designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prayer rug</span> A piece of fabric, sometimes a pile carpet, used by Muslims and some Christians during prayer.

A prayer rug or prayer mat is a piece of fabric, sometimes a pile carpet, used by Muslims, some Christians, especially in Orthodox Christianity and some Baha'i during prayer.

An oriental rug is a heavy textile made for a wide variety of utilitarian and symbolic purposes and produced in "Oriental countries" for home use, local sale, and export.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coolidge Homestead</span> Childhood home of the 30th President of the US

The Coolidge Homestead, also known as Calvin Coolidge Homestead District or President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, was the childhood home of the 30th president of the United States, Calvin Coolidge and the place where he first took the presidential oath of office. Located in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, Coolidge lived there from age four in 1876 to 1887, when he departed for Black River Academy for education. He is buried in Plymouth Notch Cemetery not far from the home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anatolian rug</span> Term commonly used to denote rugs woven in Anatolia

Anatolian rug or Turkish carpet is a term of convenience, commonly used today to denote rugs and carpets woven in Anatolia and its adjacent regions. Geographically, its area of production can be compared to the territories which were historically dominated by the Ottoman Empire. It denotes a knotted, pile-woven floor or wall covering which is produced for home use, local sale, and export, and religious purpose. Together with the flat-woven kilim, Anatolian rugs represent an essential part of the regional culture, which is officially understood as the Culture of Turkey today, and derives from the ethnic, religious and cultural pluralism of one of the most ancient centres of human civilisation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Near East Foundation</span> American international development organization

The Near East Foundation (NEF) had its genesis in a number of earlier organizations. As the scope of relief expanded from aid to Greek, Armenian and Assyrian victims of the Ottoman Empire to post-World War I relief in the region, the names and mission changed. The inception was as the American Committee on Armenian Atrocities, followed by American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief (ACASR), then American Committee for Relief in the Near East (ACRNE), before becoming Near East Relief in August 1919. In 1930 as the relief work diminished and development work expanded, the organization reorganized as the Near East Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President's Dining Room</span> Dining room in the northwest corner of the second floor of the White House

The President's Dining Room is a dining room located in the northwest corner of the second floor of the White House. It is located directly above the Family Dining Room on the State Floor and looks out upon the North Lawn. The Dining Room is adjacent to the Family Kitchen, a small kitchen designed for use by the First Family, and served by a dumbwaiter connected to the main kitchen on the ground floor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur T. Gregorian</span>

Arthur T. Gregorian,, was a Greater Boston oriental rug dealer and author of books on oriental rugs. He is considered by some to be the world's leading collector of rare, inscribed Armenian rugs.

Armenian Museum of America (AMA), located in Watertown, Massachusetts, United States, is an institution that has the largest collection of Armenian artifacts in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aris Alexanian</span>

Aris Luke Alexanian was a noted world traveller, prominent Armenian Canadian and business man. Also, referred to in articles and publications as A. L. Alexanian and Aris L. Alexanian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armenian carpet</span> Weaving technique used for carpet, rugs and floor covers, etc.

The term Armenian carpet designates, but is not limited to, tufted rugs or knotted carpets woven in Armenia or by Armenians from pre-Christian times to the present. It also includes a number of flat woven textiles. The term covers a large variety of types and sub-varieties. Due to their intrinsic fragility, almost nothing survives—neither carpets nor fragments—from antiquity until the late medieval period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azerbaijan Carpet Museum</span> Museum in Baku, Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum is a museum located in Baku that displays Azerbaijani carpets and rugs with historical and modern weaving techniques and materials. It has the largest collection of Azerbaijani carpets in the world. First opened on Neftchiler Avenue in 1967, it moved to a new building on the Baku's seafront park in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of the Republic of Artsakh</span> National flag

On 2 June 1992, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), a former breakaway state in the South Caucasus region, adopted a flag derived from the flag of Armenia, to which a white, five-toothed, stepped carpet pattern is added, beginning at the two verges of the flag's fly and meeting at a point equal to one-third of the distance from that side. The NKR was renamed the Republic of Artsakh in 2017 after a referendum and retained the flag. Following an Azerbaijani offensive on 19 September 2023, Artsakh agreed to dissolve itself by 1 January 2024.

The following events occurred in December 1925:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hratch Kozibeyokian</span>

Hratch Kozibeyokian is an Armenian American distinguished expert of oriental rugs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the Calvin Coolidge presidency</span>

The presidency of Calvin Coolidge began on August 2, 1923, when Calvin Coolidge became the 30th president of the United States upon the sudden death of Warren G. Harding, and ended on March 4, 1929.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shushi Carpet Museum</span> Museum in Shusha, Azerbaijan

Shushi Carpet Museum is a museum in Shusha, Azerbaijan. It was founded by Vardan Astsatryan in 2011. The museum opened its doors to the public in 2013, when its location, Shusha, was under the control of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Kennicott, Philip (21 October 2013). "Armenian Orphan Rug Remains in White House Storage, As Unseen As Genocide is Neglected". The Washington Post .
  2. ↑ Freking, Kevin (18 November 2014). "Symbol Of Armenian Century-Old Suffering Gets Brief Display At White House". The Huffington Post .
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Vartabedian, Tom (21 July 2010). "Armenian Orphan Rug Lives up to Its Name". Armenian Weekly .
  4. 1 2 3 4 Gazzar, Brenda (23 October 2014). "Local Armenians Proud 'Orphan Rug' will be displayed at White House Visitor Center". Los Angeles Daily News .
  5. 1 2 "Armenian Orphan Rug Goes on Display at White House Visitor Center". Asbarez . 18 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "White House Pledges to Release Armenian Genocide Orphan Rug for Display". Armenian Weekly . 2 May 2014.
  7. 1 2 "White House Confirms Orphan Rug Display in November". Asbarez . 15 October 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Doyle, Michael (18 November 2014). "Armenian Orphan Rug, symbol of tragic past, is briefly on view". McClatchy Washington Bureau.
  9. 1 2 3 Simon, Richard (30 April 2014). "Armenian Orphan Rug, steeped in controversy, may go on display". Los Angeles Times .
  10. 1 2 3 Doyle, Michael (November 13, 2013). "The Armenian Orphan Rug: A relic or an insult?". McClatchy Washington Bureau. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  11. ↑ "ANCA Rallies Against White House Decision to Block Smithsonian Display of Armenian Genocide Orphan Rug (Press release)". Armenian National Committee of America. October 24, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  12. ↑ Simon, Richard (12 November 2013). "White House urged to display Armenian Orphan Rug commemorating genocide". LA Times.
  13. ↑ Boyer, Dave (November 25, 2013). "Obama won't acknowledge Armenian genocide by Turkey, protesters say". The Washington Times . Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  14. 1 2 Hansen, Matt (18 November 2014). "Historic rug woven by Armenian orphans goes on display at White House Visitor Center". Los Angeles Times .
  15. ↑ "White House avoids mention of Armenian Genocide in Armenian Orphan Rug description". Public Radio of Armenia. 19 November 2014.
  16. ↑ "Ghazir Armenian Orphans Rug Goes on Display at White House Visitor Center". Massis Post. 18 November 2014.
  17. ↑ Jaafari, Shirin (25 October 2013). "The White House says a rug gifted to Calvin Coolidge by Armenian orphans will stay in storage for now". Public Radio International.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.