Jennifer Lopez Leaves Armenia with 19th-Century Armenian Jug Meant for Display

American pop star Jennifer Lopez left Armenia with a 19th-century jug, according to a Facebook post by the Armenian brand Narekatsin: Revival of National Jewelry.

The jug was first placed in her hotel room to show the jewelry made for her by a local artist in a beautiful way. The jewelry — a necklace and earrings — was inspired by old Armenian designs from the Van-Vaspurakan region, with almond-shaped patterns from the Syunik province. The set was arranged on the old jug, next to a handmade Tufenkian carpet, to show the beauty of Armenian culture.  

According to the brand, the jug was part of their collection and was not intended to be a gift. The jug was chosen simply for its artistic value and its connection to Armenian history. The jewelry and carpet, however, were the official gifts approved for Lopez.

“Before the guests arrived, we placed a Tufenkian carpet and — attention — a 19th-century Van jug, selected to aesthetically present the jewelry. (The jug was not originally included in the approved list of gifts.) Naturally, the singer loved and appreciated the gifts,” the company wrote.

However, just hours after Lopez left Armenia, the team learned she had taken all three items — the necklace, the earrings, the carpet, and the jug.

The brand described the jug as “an inseparable part of our family,” and initially expressed surprise that it had been taken. Still, they later updated their message to show understanding.

“Of course, the initial surprise was great, but we are happy that the singer appreciated her Armenian corner and, rightfully perceiving it as a complete gift, took it with her. (We are adding this specifically to clarify our attitude toward what happened.)”

Jennifer Lopez performed in Yerevan on August 3 as part of her “Up All Night” tour. The Armenian government used $6 million of taxpayer money to help pay for the concert, according to a report by Radio Free Europe’s Mkrtich Karapetyan. While organizers said 15,000 tourists came for the concert, causing a hotel shortage in Yerevan. The Economy Minister, Gevorg Papoyan, further added that the event generated $13 million in tourist spending, more than double the $6 million the government invested.

Thousands of fans came to see her show in the Armenian capital, where she gave a lively performance with singing and dancing. 

The unintended gift caught a lot of attention online. Still, many Armenians felt proud that Lopez appreciated their traditional gems. Although the 19th-century jug is no longer in Armenia, its story continues now with a world-famous music star.

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