Armenian women of Kars in festive dress

The photograph shows Armenian women of Kars at the beginning of the 20th century, in rich festive attire. Several generations are represented: 4 women and 1 little girl.

They wear long dark dresses and decorated caps, from which long lace veils and strings of ornaments hang down. They wear necklaces and pendants. According to the source, the velvet dresses and the forehead bands decorated with coins and precious stones testify to the refined taste and prosperity of the Armenians of Kars.

At that time Kars was one of the important centres of Armenian culture and trade.