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Hand crafts are the almost made in every village or
city in Iran, but the people of each region are skilled and proficient in
the making one or two types of handicrafts, The producers of handicraft
articles, not only preserve and restore to life traditional Iranian arts
but they also have an important role in introducing these to the people of
the world.
The
description and explanation of different kinds of handicraft goods made in
the cities and villages of
Iran
in detail would require an extensive elaboration. Tourists visiting
Iran
from different countries, find a variety of Iranian handicraft goods,
which are interesting and pleasant to them in the traditional bazaars of
Iran
, especially in larger cities. Yet the kind of goods offered in the
traditional bazaars at the present time do not introduce the real
collection of Iranian handicrafts. Some of these products are either
obsolete of like hand-woven silk cloth are very rare. Silk cloth is
produced only in one or two special workshops so that the amount of
production is only sufficient for museums and international exhibitions.
Nevertheless it can be said that, Iranian handicrafts reach out to
interested people and here we intend to review the manner in which
contemporary artists produce some of these goods.
Weaving:
(Baft)
From time immemorial, a variety of weaving was
widespread in
Iran
. From Pope’s writings the people who lived in the cave of
“Kamarband” 8,000 years ago, near the city of
Behshahr
, on the Southern border of the
Caspian Sea
apparently used to weave cloth of wool. They have left behind, a kind of
hooked needle, which they used for their work. In the city of Qassem-abad,
Gilan province, two different kinds of beautiful weavings were common and
signs of these works have been left over in a kind of cloth with silk and
another with cotton of different uses. In addition to hand-woven cloths as
mentioned before, carpet weaving is also one of the rustic and tribal
handicrafts of
Iran
. Apart from carpets, other kinds of floorings in
Iran
, where the rustic women are the major weavers of Ghelim, jadjim, and
ziloo.
Rustic ghelim in simple and unique patterns, with bright and brilliant
colors, have many customers. Considering the fact that in most tribal
regions, ghelim weaving is the main production, different kinds can be
recognized from their pattern, color, and the region in which they were
woven. Today, Kurd, Qashqa’i, Azari, Turkoman ghelims and some other
places in
Iran
have great fame. The weaves of these ghelims are girls and women. The
patterns have been orally passed down from generation to generation.
The weavers of each tribe teach girls the ways and details of ghelim
weaving. Two important details of ghelim weaving in
Iran
are Bijar and Sanandaj. Rustic ghelims have different styles and in some
regions are decorated with embroidery.
Another kind of hand-woven goods from the west of
Iran
, can be found, but not in other regions. This kind of weaving, named Moj,
is from pure wool, with certain qualities of fineness and elasticity.
Brocaded silk is another fine skill. As long as 2,000 years ago silken
Iranian items became famous in
Asia
and
Europe
, and foreign merchants had special interest in gold-woven and velvet
materials from Iranian artists.
For centuries,
Iran
has been the major producer of brocaded silk for royal courts, and
churches of the world. Pieces of Iranian brocaded silk, from the Sassanid
era are preserved in the museums such as
Lyons
,
London
,
Washington
and the Hermitage. The Safavid era was the golden age of weaving in
Iran
. Cloths of this era were woven in
Yazd
,
Kerman
,
Isfahan
, and Kashan workshops, and had 3 separate categories: Today with the
support of the “Cultural Heritage Organization Of Iran” brocaded silk
goods are still woven in several workshops. The goods produced in these
workshops are quite magnificent from the viewpoint of color and
pattern.
Needlework is on of the Iranian handicrafts, which is used for adoring
garments. Ancient needle-woven material with interesting designs has been
found particularly in the western parts of
Iran
. The needlework’s from the Byzance period are an invitation of the
needlework industry in
Iran
. Bearing in mind the vast variety of needlework, the samples produced by
the women of
Baluchistan
are of the highest quality. Needlework is an old household art and is
mostly used to adorn women’s garments. Patterns could entirely cover
outfits but in most cases, cuffs, and the collars are decorated by
needlework.
Block printing on cotton or Chintz making another kid of handicraft. The
printing of various designs by the means of wooden moulds on cotton is
called block printing on cotton. Block-printed cottons of
Iran
enhance a special beauty in addition to high quality. The most ancient
moulds in the block-printed cotton industry of
Iran
number three, engraved on stone that have been found together with other
pottery works of the tenth and eleventh centuries among archeological
findings of the city of
Neishapur
. These moulds are different in size and form, from the wooden moulds used
today.
Isfahan
is the main center for the production of these cotton goods. Employing
high quality raw materials, artists produce these traditional goods, which
have many admirers in
Iran
and abroad.
Khatam
(Marquetry)
Carpentry and woodwork are made with special
precision and artistic zeal. Fine cut woodwork in
Iran
are divided into many categories and traditional artists employing walnut
of pear wood, fabricate decorative articles. Wooden commodities of
Iran
are produced in the cities of Shira, Sanandaj, and
Rasht
. These artifacts consist of different kinds of bowls, plates, forks,
spoons and other decorative items. In the same domain, the act of
decorating wood in
Iran
is quite remarkable. Historic fine-inlaid wooden doors, in old and sacred
buildings and mosques, show the care and endurance of the carpenters and
artist who decorated them.
The most exquisite wooden doors of
Iran
are trimmed with inlay. Marquetry is the art of decorating the surface of
wooden articles with delicate pieces of wood, bone and metal précised
geometrical shapes. Marquetry is among the finest manual artworks of
Iran
. The materials used in the construction of inlaid articles can be in
gold, silver, brass, aluminum and twisted wire. Various types of inlaid
articles and their quality are known by the size and the geometrical
designs. The smaller the pieces, the higher the quality.
Designing of inlaid articles is highly elaborated. In each cubic
centimeter if inlaid work, up to approximately 250 pieces of metal, bone,
ivory and wood are laid beside each other. This art, to some extent, has
existed in
Iran
from long ago. Inlaid articles in the Safavid era took on a special
significance as artists created their precious artworks. These works
include; doors and windows, mirror frames, Quran boxes, inlaid boxes, pen
and penholders, lanterns and inlaid ornamented shrines.
The ornamentation of the doors of holy places predominantly
consists of inlaid motifs. Samples of these can be observed in the cities
of Mahshad,
Qom
, Shira and Rey. In the safavid era, the art of marquetry flourished in
the southern cities of
Iran
, especially in
Isfahan
,
Shiraz
and
Kerman
. An inlaid desk, which is one of the definitive masterpieces of this art,
was awarded the first prize and a gold medal in an art exposition in
Brussels
recently. This desk is now preserved in the National Museum of Washington.
Also in some of the Majestic places and homes, doors and various items
have been inlaid. The inlaid-ornamented rooms in Saadabad and Marble
palace in
Tehran
are among masterpieces of this art.
Currently this art is being practiced in
Isfahan
,
Shiraz
and
Tehran
. Inlay masters, preserving the nobility of their art, have brought forth
great innovations in this fine art. Woodcarving is one of the other
outstanding Iranian arts. Designing has a special role in this skill. In
wood-caring, magnificent patterns inlaid in wood, ivory or bone, with
simple or protruded shapes are created.
Important wood carving of
Iran
can be found in mosques, palaces and ancient buildings. Some of the
Iranian inlaid works are preserved in museums inside or outside
Iran
. The usual images are rose leaves and drawings of birds and animals.
Latticed woodwork is another art, which is made by hand. Old latticed
doors and windows of
Iran
are famous. Among other artworks sudorific inlaid work can be mentioned.
In this kind of inlaid work, the artist strictly avoids protrusions on the
surface of the wood. The images cut out of natural wood in various colors
are finely inlaid in the wooden outline. After the application of a fine
finish, an even surface is portrayed, which tend to produce an interesting
image of trees, flowers and animals. The art of inlaid and sudorific
woodwork are supported by the workshops of the “Cultural Heritage
Organization of Iran”. These arts are also practiced in private
workshops.
Pottery,
Tiles and Ceramics
Today, the art of pottery continues to keep its
credibility of the Iranian handicrafts. Skillful
experts in “Laleh Chin” produce part of the pottery works with high
quality from raw material. The earthenware’s are sold in local bazaars
but tourists have also expressed great interest in them. “Laleh Chin”,
using high quality material together with creativity of the pottery
artists, has become one of the active centers of pottery work in
Iran
, in the past several centuries. Numerous pottery workshops exist also in
Kashan,
Qom
,
Shiraz
, Rey, Mashad and
Tehran
. The pottery works of these cities are divided into two major branches: a
part of these products is aimed for practical public use and other par for
enhanced artistic value. This art as a handicraft is also practiced in
other cities of
Iran
such as:
Rasht
, Bandar, Abbas, Minall, and the coastline cities of the
Persian Gulf
. In some pottery workshops, machine wheels have replaced the old pedal
wheels. However, masters of this art, and young skillful potters, prefer
the traditional pedal wheels. The old tools are noiseless and the feet
with great precision control the speed of work.
In
the workshops of the “Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran”, potters
have created many precious works that guarantee the existence of this
magnificent art. Ceramic work and tile making are also practiced in
Isfahan
,
Tehran
and other cities. Although their product cannot compete in beauty and
firmness with the works of Safavid era, they have great distinction. In
ceramic and tile making workshops, efforts are made to employ the
technical principles and experiences of the old artists.
Stone Cutting (Sang Tarashi)
Sculpture and stone cutting
are among the oldest Iranian acts. In “Tappeh Yahya” of
Kerman
, one of the very old stone cutting workshops of
Iran
was discovered in 1970 A.D. A stone statue is among the archeological
findings and belongs to approximately 4500 B.C. This statue is cut from a
greenish rock, which is extracted from numerous mines in the
Kerman
region.
Iran
, as a mountainous land, is the center of various types of precious
stones. All different types of stones used in the construction of the
ancient palaces of
Iran
were mined inside the country.
Nowadays, stone cutting has become a part of
handicrafts. The major centers of stone cutting are the cities of
Qom
and Mashad. Remarkable artistic stone cuttings, with engraved images,
usually in the shape of dished and decorative articles are produced in
Mashad.The same articles, with a special fineness, are mostly made out of
marble in
Qom
. These works of art form Mashad and
Qom
are sold in the handicraft shops in
Iran
.
Glass Blowing (Shisheh
Gary)
In the ancient temple of
“Choqazanbil”thousands of glass rods were used in building the
windows; also small bottles, which could have possibly contained a holy
liquid, were also discovered. “Marlik” glass- beads and glass works of
Sassanid era can be considered the sign of existence of this industry in
the old
Iran
. A glass necklace, belonging to 2250B.C., was discovered in the northwest
of
Iran
. This necklace is composed of blue glass-beads. There have been findings
of glass articles, belonging to ancient
Iran
, in
Susa
and “Hassan Lou”.
The Seljukid era is the pinnacle of blowing glasswork in
Iran
. In this period, glass articles were adorned with the images of flowers
and birds, poems and quranic verses, all composed of glass. Large and
small glass dishes consisting of scent bottles, cups, vases are among the
various forms of blowing glass from the seljukid era. Glasswork, for
decorating mosques, whereof special importance in the safavid. Also,
various glass articles were produced in glass workshops, which have a
historic value. Iranian artists produce glass goods, by blowing the glass
into a mould, and then, they would paint brilliant enamel and golden
design on them. The making of glass items by hand requires extraordinary
skill and today in numerous glass workshops in
Tehran
,
Isfahan
,
Shiraz
and Kashan, this art is continued.
Combining glassware with metal is another method in this
industry. The artist shapes vases, drinking-cups and other metal articles,
into a netted form with flower designs, and thereafter blows the glass
into them. The combination of metal and glass produces an interesting
combination painted opaque and transparent carved glass is some of the
artistic works of the glass blowers. Precious glass items are produced in
the glass workshops of the “Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran”.
The glass blowing industry is also supported by the “Handicrafts
Organization of Iran”.
Metal-Working: (Felez
Kari)
Different types of metals are
used in various types of handicrafts produced in
Iran
, The most usual of these items are made out of copper which are commonly
used in Iranian kitchens. The chief centers of the art of metal working
are
Isfahan
,
Shiraz
, Kashan,
Yazd
and
Kerman
. Kitchen copper articles include: pots, pans, pails, large spoons, trays
in very larger, medium and several sizes. The second category of copper
items consists of picture frames, jewelry boxes, water-pipe pots, and
copper statues of various animals, which have special artistic value.
Special care is taken in printing different protruded images on the
surface of these items. In some of these copper works, the art of netting
is also used. In addition to copper metal-working artists use bronze and
silver for the production of precious articles.
Various types of trays, bowls, jugs and other decorative
articles are made from silver and bronze, and beautiful drawings are
painted on them. Cups and silver statues of birds, a variety of trays, and
cup holders made in
Isfahan
are well known in the world.
Filigree-Work on Metals
Filigree is a relatively old
Iranian handicraft. Iranian filigree workers were the pioneers of this art
from the beginning of the seventh century. The city of “Zanjan”, in
the northwestern part of
Iran
, is the guardian of the filigree industry. Different filigree articles
are made out of fine silver twisted wire by the artists of this city.
Filigree work among the people of
Kurdistan
was formally practiced with gold twisted wire. Tea and dessert sets, and
other decorative filigree articles are the handwork of Zanjani artists.
Embossing (Ghalam
Kari)
He embossing industry is one of
the most advanced Iranian hand skills. In the Islamic period, the
embossing industry, took on considerable progress. Magnificent metal-works
with different patterns have been created by artists of Khorassan, Rey,
Hamedan and
Samarkand
.
Isfahan
is the main center of embossing. Silver and copper vases, various types of
fruit bowls, chocolate boxes, and embossed trays and cups are made in
handicraft workshops in this historic city. These articles are embossed in
a magnificent way. An artist of this field, for creating desired patterns,
will perhaps use dozens of fine and large engraving chisels. Images
created by the carvers on the surface of gold, silver, copper or bonze
items take inspiration from older patterns.
Styles, images of flowers and leaves, different birds
and animals, other geometrical patterns inspired from the magnificent
ceramic works of mosques are employed in the arts of embossing works of
Isfahan are quote fine, graceful and meaningful.
Enamel-Work (Mina
Kari)
This art is among the most
creative inventions. In enamel-work, the surface of various metal articles
such as gold, silver or copper, are painted by means of colorful luster.
Afterwards, suitable amounts of heat in a special furnace are needed to
stabilize the color. Enamel-Work in itself has different categories.
Isfahan
is the prime center for the production of the enamel industry. Dozens of
large workshops continue to produce enameled items in this historic city.
Not only this art, but also perhaps all the other handicrafts of
Iran
need detailed explanation concerning the manner of their production.
The others
handicrafts of
Iran
:
Patehdozi, Gholabdozi,
Polakdozi, Goldozi, Sozandozi, Klimbafi, Monabatkari (Work on wood),
Ainehkari (work in mirror), Maliahkari (work on silver), Gachbori,
Namadmali, Moarragn, Jewellery
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