Iranian decorative arts: tilework, khatam, minakari and more

Iran has one of the world's richest traditions of decorative art. Many crafts are still practised in the same cities where they grew, often in family workshops. Here are the ones you will meet most often.

Tilework (kashi-kari)

Glazed tiles cover mosques, palaces and bathhouses across Iran. Two main techniques are used: mosaic tilework (moarragh), where small pieces of single-colour tile are cut and fitted together like a puzzle, and haft-rang ("seven-colour") tiles, where a whole design is painted on square tiles before firing. Mosaic is slower and more precise; haft-rang allows large pictorial panels. The word kashi itself is linked to the city of Kashan, a historic centre of tile-making.

Khatam (inlay)

Khatam-kari is a marquetry technique from Shiraz and Isfahan. Thin rods of wood, bone and metal are bundled into triangular patterns, glued, sliced into thin sheets and applied to boxes, frames and furniture. A single square centimetre can contain hundreds of tiny pieces.

Minakari (enamel)

Minakari is painted enamel on metal, mostly copper, fired at high heat. Isfahan is its best-known centre. The classic look is a deep turquoise-blue ground with fine floral and bird motifs.

More crafts to know

• Qalamkar — hand block-printed cotton, a speciality of Isfahan, used for tablecloths and wall hangings.
• Aineh-kari — mirror mosaic: small cut mirror pieces set into plaster, filling halls and shrines with reflected light.
• Gach-bori — carved stucco, used for ceilings, niches and window surrounds.
• Termeh — a fine woven textile associated with Yazd.
• Carpets — the best-known of all, with major weaving centres such as Tabriz, Kashan, Isfahan, Kerman and Nain.

Using crafts at home

One strong handmade piece often does more than many small ones: a khatam frame, a minakari plate on a shelf, or a qalamkar cloth on a table. Give it space and good light so the detail can be seen.

Tools for this

• Ornament techniques
• Pattern maker