- نویسنده: امید حسینی
A great handicraft of Isfahan which is made with love and interest is Ghalamkari cloth. It is a magnificent fabric with some printed designs on the center or its borders which can be in different patterns of flowers, birds, palaces and other things. Isfahan is the center of making this eye-catching art around the world. Isfahan handicrafts souvenirs are very popular in the world. One of the most magnificent handicrafts of Iran is Ghalamkari cloth. It is a kind of fabric with some paintings which goes back to Ghaznavied Era. The designs in this cloth are similar to that in the tiles in the mosques and the carpets. Persian patterns are usually repeated in Ghalamkari fabric, especially in its borders. Some people believe that as this art has simple designs and patterns, it is older than the art of carpet weaving.Ghalamkari Cloth is one of the original Persian handicrafts. Isfahan, the cultural center of Iran, is the birthplace of most fabulous arts and handicrafts of the world. A variety of arts such as Minakari (enameled), Khatam Kari, Firoozeh Koobi (turquoise), Termeh, Toerutics (engraving), filigree, Moaragh (marquetry) and Ghalamkari are originated or flourished in this city. As the people of this city are interested in art and culture, they pay a close attention to handmade products and cultural development. Therefore, a lot of workshops and professional masters work and train their students in a variety of fields in this beautiful and historical city. Painting this fabric may have previously done with some natural dyes such as raw sienna instead of the chemical ones which are used today. The material used to make Ghalamkari cloth is cotton or silk. As printing designs on cloth was started in the Sassanid Era, some people believe that the art of making Ghalamkari cloth dates back to that time and after that developed in Safavid Era in Isfahan. Ghalamkari of Isfahan is also known as Chitsazi and Calico work. The word originally refers to making something on cloth with a pencil. It can be in black and white or in multiple colors. Main mall of Isfahan has been the center of Ghalamkari for centuries because there are a lot of workshops where professional masters and their students work. This fabric was previously used to make luxurious clothes for famous and royal people who had a high social level. Some gold and silver threaded designs were seen in this fabric. The other usage of Ghalamkari fabric was related to its role in interior design to make curtains, wall coverings and bedspreads. These days, Ghalamkari cloth is generally used to make purses, scarves, wallets, mats and tablecloths. Isfahan is the center of this fantastic art with various products which attract the attention of every person. Making this art was really hard and time-consuming in the past because the masters had to draw all lines and patterns with a special pencil. The problem of this method was the production of unsymmetrical designs which were not in harmony with each other that result in the higher price of the product. Later, pre-designed templates were made on some wooden frames to work as a stamp which facilitated the process of this art to make symmetrical designs in a shorter time. These fabrics, according to their design, were used for covering walls or curtains in great celebrations and religious ceremonies. There are various designs which are printed on cotton, silk and flax cloth to make a fabulous Ghalamkari fabric which is painted with chemical colors. Some of the most important ones are listed below: • Historical sights of palaces of Persepolis Materials are the most important item to start every business because you cannot do anything without appropriate devices. There are some tools and materials required to make Ghalamkari cloth. • Colors: two main colors to make this fabric are black and red. • Unbleached Calico • Pomegranate skin • Herbal dyes • Long cloth: it should be made of cotton or silk • Wooden frame • Stamps: they are usually made of peach or pear trees It is advisable to use some templates on the stamps in order to make a symmetrical view. Paisley, flower, bird, Persepolis and inscriptions are among the most popular templates which can be prepared or bought in advance. Steps In order to make Ghalamkari cloth, the following steps should be followed: • Put the cloth in the pool for 5 days • Bump the cloth to a rocky surface to take extra materials out of it • Keep it under the sun to be dry • Put it in pomegranate skin and herbal dyes to be yellow • Make a template on the stamp • Cover the surface of stamp in the color • Put the stamp on the color in an orderly way • Tap the stamp with hand a few times to be sure of the color transfer • Boil the cloth in water • Add some materials to water to fix the color This Ghalamkari cloth has a lot of fans around the world that look for the highest quality one in Isfahan. In addition, some other cities in Iran such as Tabriz, Rasht, Kashan and Tehran sell this cloth. By the development of technology and the advent of online handicrafts stores, people prefer to buy their favorite items online and save their time, money and energy. Naghsh-E-Jahan Square and the Great mall of Isfahan are the best places to buy the best Ghalamkari fabric. Tips If you plan to have Ghalamkari cloth, paying attention to the following points can help you have a great product: • In low quality fabrics, the colors are not fully transferred. • Go shopping in a reliable store where you can find high quality Iranian handicrafts and souvenirs. • Try not to wash this cloth with strong detergents and in a washing machine to have it for a long time. Therefore, washing it with your hands and little shampoo will be recommended. • Try not to keep it on the exposure of direct sunlight so that the colors cannot be changed. Buying Ghalamkari cloth will bring love, freshness and tradition to every atmosphere which can be a great gift to next generations. If you are a person who is keen on having a luxurious decoration at your home to enjoy the beauty of past generations’ art and culture, or you want to buy a special gift for your family members, friends and colleagues, one of the best suggestions which can be in one or as a wholesale product is Ghalamkari fabric. It is advisable to have this piece of art in your daughter’s dowry because it brings luck and fortune for newly married couples. As it was previously mentioned, a lot of people are interested to have Ghalamkari cloth for different purposes. Some main products of this fabric are: • Tablecloth • Praying mat • Cushion • Bedspread • Handbag • Scarf • Clothes All these products can be bought in different sizes based on your needs. Also, you can have a selection of circular or rectangular tablecloths depending on the shape of your table. You can have a nice set of these items in your living room when you want to host your guests and want to enjoy a traditional atmosphere in your place. In addition, most traditional restaurants and cafés design their place with Ghalamkari cloth to get the attention of customers, provide a relaxed environment, transfer the sense of tradition and culture, and bring freshness and beauty to the place. Therefore, it is possible to have a wholesale shopping of this fabulous art of Isfahan and get a good discount. The word Ghalamkari literally means painting with a pencil and this art refers to a traditional handicraft which has been made by printing some designs with hands and a wooden stamp in Isfahan. As original and high quality materials were used to make this cloth, a lot of people like it and consider it as a luxurious piece of art. Special geographical location of Iran to be in connection with Central Asia, East and West could help development of this handicraft. Although Chinese products have always been a threat for Iranian original handicrafts, people try to find reliable and valid handicrafts stores to buy the original ones from Iranian markets. After Safavid Era and by the evolution of European textile machinery, the production of Ghalamkari fabric was demolished but in the reign of King Reza Pahlavi, this art was survived because of the attention of the King to preservation of ancient art and culture. All in all, the number of workshops that produce this fabric is not a lot at the moment but they try to make the original and high quality products to revive this ignored art. The main colors used to make this Calico work are black, red, blue, green and yellow. Other colors are produced by a mixture of these colors and adding some other materials. You can buy various types of this fabric in different colors; while, red, brown and blue ones are the most popular colors. The professional master of this art in Isfahan is Master Giahi who has an influential role in the development of this handmade art. Some other professional masters of this art are Master Mohammad Khan, Master Esmaeili, and Master Isfahani.History of Ghalamkari
Isfahan Souvenirs
Introduction of Ghalamkari
Ghalamkari Isfahan
Designs of Ghalamkari Fabric
• Miniature
• Bushes and flowers
• Poem inscriptions
• Animals
• Historical events
• Traditional Iranian fiction stories
As the designs of this handicraft can be full of colors, a natural view of the mentioned patterns can be seen in this fabric.
Materials to Make Ghalamkari Fabric
GHALAMKARI PRODUCTS
Details about Ghalamkari
