The art of stone inlaying in Iran: a combination of elegance and glory
Stone inlay is one of the most valuable and beautiful Iranian decorative arts, in which precious and semi-precious stones are installed with special delicacy on the surface of metals, ivory, wood or even other stones. This art is a combination of nature and art, which has become one of the most prominent handicrafts of Iran over the years.
The history of inlay work in Iran
The roots of inlay work in Iran go back to ancient times. The ancient works obtained from the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanian civilizations show that Iranians have mastered this art for a long time. In the Islamic period, inlaying reached its peak of prosperity and it was used to decorate dishes, ornaments, swords and other valuable objects.
Materials and tools used in inlay work
- Precious and semi-precious stones: diamond, ruby, emerald, turquoise, agate, lapis lazuli, etc. are among the stones used in inlay work.
- Metals: Gold, silver, copper and brass are among the metals that are used as a base for installing stones.
- Special tools: pen, hammer, file, drill, etc. are among the tools used in this art.
Types of inlays - Rail inlay: In this method, a groove is created in the metal and the stone is placed in it.
- Inlaying pen: in this method, a cone-shaped hole is created in the metal and the stone is placed in it.
- Bowl inlay: In this method, a bowl-shaped hole is created in the metal and the stone is placed in it.
- Claw inlaying: In this method, metal claws are held around the stone.
The importance of inlay work in Iran - Preserving cultural identity: Inlay work is one of the symbols of Iranian cultural identity and helps us to communicate with our roots.
- Development of handicrafts: As one of the most valuable handicrafts of Iran, inlaying contributes to the development of the economy and job creation.
- Aesthetics: Inlaid products give beauty and originality to the space due to their elegance and complexity.