Bernardaud Armenian Votivelight lit from within

The Armenian Votivelight: Galerie Royale × Bernardaud

Galerie Royale × Bernardaud · 2015

The Armenian Votivelight

A lithophane for the centenary of the Armenian Genocide

A limited-edition porcelain votive created by Bernardaud and Galerie Royale Armenia for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide — a symbol of the bright culture and history of Armenia.

«I remember and demand»

One victim – one votive – one Armenian heartbeat

The story

1,500,000 heartbeats

The heartbeat of 1,500,000 Armenians was stopped, and many Armenian souls were never born, as a result of the Armenian Genocide — the crime against humanity carried out by the Ottoman Empire.

The votive was presented on 24 April 2015, the day of remembrance, as a limited edition sold at Galerie Royale Armenia and delivered worldwide. Part of the revenue from its sales was donated to women waiting for artificial insemination.

Engraved in porcelain

Every image has its meaning

Mount AraratArmenia always standing, and the uncompromising will of a nation that survived the Genocide.
Grigor NarekatsiSpiritual values of the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion.
Tatev MonasteryConstant faith in Armenian religion and values.
Lake Van and Surb KhachThe lost territories, and the nostalgia and pain rooted in every Armenian.
KomitasThe uniqueness of Armenian culture.
Mashtots and the manuscriptsThe eternity of that culture.
The apricot treeOutlining the votive: the sun shining in the sky above Armenia, and its unique nature.
“It is spring, and it has snowed”Words from Paruyr Sevak’s poem “The Unceasing Bell Tower” — the spring a hundred years ago that turned the Armenian sky red.

The craft

Lithophane

Invented in Limoges in 1828, lithophanie is a traditional technique of engraving on fine unglazed biscuit porcelain. The design is carved in relief: thicker areas stay dark, thinner ones let light through.

By day the scenes are a soft white relief. Light a candle inside, and Armenia appears in the glow.

Armenian Votivelight · Bernardaud

Limited edition, available at Galerie Royale, Yerevan

Enquire at Galerie Royale
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