Along with other historical and natural attractions of Zanjan province, handicrafts in this province manifest the skill and idea of artists and craftsmen who have displayed the cultural identity of this land and territory in their crafts.
Some of the Zanjan souvenirs are as follow:
Handmade Knife, a local type of women shoe named Charoq (or Charogh), light cotton summer shoes, Felt, tapestry work, carpet, Kilim or Gilim, Jajim (loosely woven woolen carpet), Monabbat, embroideries and ...
Zanjan in northwestern Iran has been registered as the National City and birthplace of filigree art, which dates back to several thousand years ago.
Filigree is a form of intricate metalwork. It may span from delicate jewellery to cast iron railings and balustrades. Works made of metal threads, called malileh-kari (filigree) are among the most popular handicrafts in the province of Zanjan. These are very finely shaped works with silver threads or ribbons, to create so-called eslimi patterns or other geometric patterns. These works are used to decorate luxury cups or containers, candlesticks, painting or photography frames, jewelry, etc.
The oldest filigree works in Iran date from the time of the Sassanid dynasty. The craftsmen who worked the metals, especially the silver workers, made luxury utensils for the court or families of the upper class. To decorate these containers, they used filigree works and sometimes precious stones.
Gold, silver and copper are the main raw materials of the filigree. Artisans also use wax, charcoal and organic detergents to make filigree.
The knives of Zanjan is well known because of its cutting power, sharpness, high quality, durability, plating style and the fine pattern on its handle and lining. The oldest founded knife in Iran dates back to thousand years ago. Because of the geographic situation of Iran, there have been a lot of wars as the old Persian poems and stories are about legendary Persian worrier. The army and worriers should always be ready, they need weapon and equipment to protect the country.
Zanjan city was the weaponry capital in Achaemenid area. The best knives and sword had been made in Zanjan and it was the stylish artist who added the beauty to this rough thing. Today making knives is a traditional art and artists make decorative and useful knives like jackknife, latched knife, hunting knife, dessert knife, dagger, sword and kitchen knife.
The blade of knives is made of hard steel like Iron or brass. The handle is made of three different part and added to the blade with a special technique, that gives it a monolithic look. The handle is made of wood and decorative one has bone-hand or shell- hand and beautiful designs on it and also on its blade. The cover and scabbard are made by leather and are designed by Persian poems or natural scene or by steel and special carved patterns.
The simple knives themselves are subdivided into:
1. Knives with handle from goat or cow horn that have a single blade that is attached to the handle by two nails, and have no spring
2. Switchblades that have many kinds
3. Knives for cutting fruit, which have a single blade, a handle and a spring, and are produced in many sizes.
There are also small pocket knives and “Ghalamtarash”, a special kind of knife that is used to cut calligraphy pens.
Charoq crochet is one of the handicrafts which delicate hands of artists of Zanjan that they have specialized in producing of them. These Charoqs are especially for women and they use of them for formality and recreational aspects. Charoqs are considered as one of the most appropriate souvenirs of Zanjan.
Charoq was produced without a heel in the former type and by certain raw materials which have been merely used for walking on the carpet and furnished rooms and the back of it, was closed.
As one of the outstanding handicrafts of Zanjan province, coppersmith is an ancient craft in this province which dates back to many years ago. Currently, copper containers are made of copper sheet using hot- and cold hammering method. The straight Bazars of Zanjan are the center of these industrialists.
Different cupric containers such as: boiler , bowl, and tankard tub are produced in Zanjan.
Loading... Please wait
Please wait