James Mark KESHISHIAN
( 1925 - 2003 )

Generations of living with the tyrannical rhythms of the season are reflected in the artistry and harmony of the Armenian inscribed rugs in the James Mark Keshishian Collection. Now assembled for publication, the collection inspires awe and pride. Intervals of time and of places and of spaces become stepping stones into the Armenian highlands, and into her history. One becomes momentarily blinded by the beauty of tumbled figures on fields of color,- colors made live to bear the life stream of a family - to sustain, to nurture. With reluctance one turns each page of the volume, only to face yet another flaming fantasy of line, form and color. There is a deep abiding symbolism that insinuates itself in Keshishian's inscribed rugs. Symbols that anchor at the heart to places far away; places that stretch the imagination of people who found boundless joy in ownership of such pieces.
The long night of past centuries resonate in these rare rugs; they shimmer enigmatically in their stillness and speak of broken columns and arches and churches; and of wools and colors drained up from the bowl of antiquity; they burn with life of their own. The stuff of pure reds, golds, pale yellows absorb woven threads and redefine them into symmetrical lines, contours, classic, beautiful. Rugs that hold a contempt for life.
The James Mark Keshishian Collection of over 100 inscribed Armenian rugs tease the imagination with exotica -names that travel from Karabagh throughout Asia Minor to Persia and to Russia. Strange sounding names dissolve on the tongue: Chondzoresk, Gendje, Akstafa, Kasimoushag- names that helped sustain the lifeblood of the people. Using the words of Cicero as the impetus for his ritual of search, Keshishian follows its directive - "It is doubtful whether a man ever brings his faculties to bear with their full force on a subject until he writes upon it." So it must be that he had to write his first book on this, his beloved subject. The book follows many previously written articles on the subject of rugs which have appeared in magazines and journals. This knowledgeable volume will edge towards being the definitive work on Armenian Inscribed rugs.
The talent comes honestly to James, his family was always in the business of collecting Armeniana - rugs, textiles, coins, art and tapestries. The hint of puckish humor is in continuous attendance on his face. Often the punster, it isn't immediately noted how very serious James Keshishian is when it comes to his collection of the inscribed rugs of Armenia, and his awesome collection of Armenian coins. James feels like a man with a specific mission; to build a substantial bridge of knowledge which will lead people towards a better understanding of the place and position Armenia holds in the world of textiles and rugs.
History and geography are the guardians of knowledge; they enable man to construct his sporadic past and realities. They resolutely arrange the patterns of survival; patterns which determine the forces of communal and social culture. Armenia's never dormant history 'winks' at the world with her rugs. Keshishian offers the view to his readers in Inscribed Armenian Rugs of Yesteryear - a volume of over 256 pages, providing history plus pictures and analysis of over 90 pieces of historical beauty.

Anne Atanossian