The Movses Khorenatsi Medal has been awarded to Volkmar Gantzhorn for his huge tome The Christian Oriental Carpet, now more than twenty years old, which has been revised and published in Armenia. This encyclopaedia-esque book presents Oriental carpet weaving in a very particular light, and, inter alia, promotes international recognition of the Armenian carpet weaving craft. The original 532 page volume, based on the author's formal academic thesis, offers a complete revision of the history of the carpet, moving chronologically from ancient times to the 18th century. Over 400 photographs are used to make the case that the vast majority of Oriental carpets throughout history depict Christian symbols. Although the evidence is challenged by many experts, it makes an interesting read to those who are open to an iconoclastic view of carpet weaving history, and is a magnificent compendium of images of great carpets.
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