Woodcarving in Iran: A Gem in the Crown of Traditional Arts
Woodcarving is one of the most delicate and beautiful traditional arts in Iran, where intricate and beautiful designs are carved onto wood using special tools. This rich art is rooted in the ancient history of Iran and, from the distant past to the present, many artists have created unique works with their taste and skill.
History of Woodcarving in Iran
Ancient Era: The oldest woodcarving works in Iran date back to ancient times. Archaeologists have discovered carved wooden artifacts dating back several thousand years.
Islamic Era: With the spread of Islam in Iran, the art of woodcarving was also influenced by Islamic art and geometric, floral, and eslimi designs became popular.
Later Periods: Woodcarving flourished in various historical periods in Iran, and Iranian artists produced high-quality works using various woods such as walnut, oak, and jujube.
Characteristics of Iranian Woodcarving
Diverse designs: Iranian woodcarving designs are very diverse and range from simple geometric designs to complex floral and botanical designs.
Precision and delicacy: Iranian woodcarving artists implement their designs on wood with great precision and delicacy.
Use of high-quality wood: High-quality and durable woods are used to create woodcarving works to increase the lifespan of the work.
Coloring and coating: After the woodcarving is completed, the works are often painted with natural or artificial colors and coated with various materials to make them more resistant to environmental factors.
Applications of Woodcarving
Interior decoration: Woodcarving is widely used in interior decoration of buildings, such as doors, windows, ceilings, columns, and furniture.
Making decorative objects: Woodcarving is used to make decorative objects such as picture frames, wooden boxes, statues, and more.
Making musical instruments: Some traditional Iranian musical instruments such as the tar, setar, and oud are made using carved wood.
Important Centers of Woodcarving in Iran
Malayer: Malayer is one of the most important centers of woodcarving in Iran, and the artists of this city, with a long history in this art, produce high-quality works.
Qom: The city of Qom is also one of the important centers of woodcarving in Iran due to the existence of skilled artists.
Abadeh: Abadeh is another city in Iran that is famous for woodcarving.
Importance of Preserving and Reviving the Art of Woodcarving
Preserving and reviving the art of woodcarving is important for several reasons:
Preserving cultural identity: Woodcarving is one of the important elements of Iran’s cultural identity, and preserving it means preserving part of the country’s cultural heritage.
Creating employment: Supporting woodcarving artists helps create jobs and economic prosperity.
Developing tourism: Woodcarving works, as one of the tourist attractions, can contribute to the development of the tourism industry.