Hartunian Decorative Pins
Ruth Hartunian-Alumbaugh's grandmother Novart Parlavorian was married at sixteen to her lifelong sweetheart Sarcus Hartunian, who she met during the onset of the genocide in 1915 in an orphanage run by German missionaries. She had worked as a seamstress and artisan throughout her early life: was very well known and loved in her community. She earned income during the genocide by making and selling garments.
Novart and Sarcus were eventually able to relocate to Bulgaria, where they ran a bakery to make ends meet. They lived in extreme poverty: all nine family members slept on the floor on the bakery. Ruth's father recalls his parents weeping with despair and hopelessness over their family situation. During this time, four of Novart's children died of malnutrition. A fifth was murdered by a Turkish officer on a motorcycle. The constant destitution and onset of sickness (believed to be from the malnutrition), were tipping points which bolstered the family's immigration to the United States. Novart was in unspeakable pain, both physically and emotionally, when they arrived. A family of nine was now widdled down to a family of four.
Novart's story is one of extreme strength and perserverence. Despite the constant pain, terror, and anguish, she continued to perservere, and care for her family the best she could. Ruth reveres the memory of Novart, who died shortly before Ruth's sister was born.
The exact origin of this set of pins is unknown, though they belonged to Ruth's grandmother Novart, bought while the family lived in Beiruit. It's interesting to consider why Novart might have chosen these items as adornment and jewelry: due to their ability to be worn on clothing. Novart, a seamstress by trade, may have seen the importance of elevating a garment by adding accessories, such as pins, to it. At a time when Novart's life was filled with death, poverty, exile, and hopelessness, these pieces of art may have reminded her of a time in her youth as a seamstress, and served as something to remind her of beauty in the world. These pins are also pertinent in the sense that they have the ability to be passed down to the next generation, and the next, and so on.