IFP Exclusive

Handicrafts of Isfahan’s Jolfa: Epitome of Iranian-Armenian Art

Jolfa, an ancient neighbourhood of Isfahan, is known for its traditional arts which make up an important part of the history of handicrafts in Isfahan province.

Those arts were produced in line with models of medieval Armenian art and in conformity with Ancient Iranian arts.

June 10th marks World Handicraft Day. Some 600 handicrafts have been registered on the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Of that figure, 450 belong to Iran. Interestingly, 287 handicrafts out of 450 belong to Isfahan.

Around 300 years ago during King Abbas Safavid, Armenians migrated from the banks of the Aras river to the banks of Zayandehrood in Isfahan to remain immune to the mass killing of Armenians. After the threat was removed, they stayed there.

Little by little, Armenians in Isfahan managed to spread their traditional and native arts and produced works of art using gold and tile as well as works of miniature and Qalamkari, part of which is on show at Isfahan’s Vank church.

The following are images of handicrafts produced in Isfahan and its Jolfa neighbourhood.

Qalamkari was a common art used to decorate fabric in the New Jolfa neighbourhood
Goldsmiths' craftsmanship was widely used in everyday life in New Jolfa. Gold- and sliverware, including dishes, knives and forks, napkin holders, glasses and cups, were part of people's day-to-day life.more
The lower parts of the church wall were decorated with coated tiles. This was basically an oriental art. Armenian artists innovated their own original native illustrations based on these very oriental figures.more
Tile work by Jolfa artists
Among the Armenians forced to migrate to New Jolfa were religious miniaturists and penmen who established the school of miniature art by incorporating traditional and artistic features into the Iranian and European art of the time.more
The olibanum burner used in church rituals (an example of silverware made in New Jolfa)

* After the second World War, handicrafts with an artistic and cultural touch drew the attention of many countries. On that day, the first international conference was held in New York, bringing together university professors, artists and industrialists from more than 40 countries. The day when the conference was held was named as International Handicraft Day.

Fatemeh Askarieh

Fatemeh Askarieh is an Iranian journalist working on a range of fields including culture, art, lifestyle, cultural heritage, and tourism. She has been working with the Iran Front Page (IFP) Media Group for 10 years, and is currently the head of the Art and Lifestyle Department.

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