Armenian woman of Shushi in traditional dress

The photograph shows an Armenian woman from the town of Shushi in Artsakh at the beginning of the 20th century.

Her clothing is rich in traditional elements: a headscarf, a heavy fur-trimmed coat, a wide belt decorated with metal coins and a large buckle, and ornaments hanging on her chest. Her mouth and chin are covered with a white cloth, long ornaments hang beside her ears, and she holds prayer beads.

Her clothing and jewellery testify both to her social status and to her cultural identity.