IRAN ART EXHIBITION: FIROOZE KOOBI ADDS BEAUTY TO YOUR HOME DESIGN
One of the most popular handicrafts of Iran, that is both decorative and applicable, is “Firuzehkoobi” or turquoise inlaying. Firuzehkubi are small pieces of Turquoise gem stone which are inlaid, like mosaics, on a base that are tools or utensils made of copper, silver, brass or bronze. They can cover all the base or parts of it. Firuzehkubi is a rather young handicraft, beginning only seventy years ago. It was invented for the first time by Yusef Hakimian to decorate pieces of jewelry like earrings, bracelets, brooches and etc. Later it traveled to Isfahan and was practiced by a craftsman named Haj Dadash. Today Firuzehkubi is one of the most celebrated souvenirs of Isfahan.
The Firuzeh or Turquoise gems that are used in this crafts are supplied by the stone workshops and stone grinds that cannot be used for other purposes. To make a Firuzehkubi, first the base, the utensil or jewelry, is chosen. Then the surrounding of the parts where turquoise is to be inlaid will be soldered and divided by a thin wire with height about two to three millimeters. If there are motifs and designs to be applied in the intended area, they are also drawn and soldered by the same wire. This process not only adds to the beauty of product, but also improves its durability and resistance. Then, after being washed, large or small pieces of Turquoise are picked.
The base object is heated to 30 degrees of centigrade. While heating a special kind of gum powder called “Gerdooyi” or “Walnut varnish” that acts as glue, is poured upon the object so that it melts. The Turquoise pieces are then laid on the surface. This is the most important part of process. If the base is a round object, the laying step is repeated. To fill the empty spaces between the inlaid pieces, the base is heated once more to forty degrees of centigrade, the gum powder is poured and the spaces are filled with smaller Turquoise. The remaining gaps that cannot be filled with stones, are filled with a blue mortar. In the next step, the surface is sanded. Finally the product is polished and obtains a shiny and smooth surface. The more elaborate a Firuzehkubi work, the more valuable it is.
Turquoise Inlay or Firoozehkubi or Firoozeh Koobi is one of the handicrafts of Iran, which is done by placing small pieces of turquoise stone in a mosaic shape on the surface of dishes, ornaments and decorative objects. Whatever the Turquoise Inlaid plate be more elaborate and regular with smaller distance between the turquoise pieces, the greater its artistic value. Today, the center of this art is Isfahan.
IRAN ART EXHIBITION: Turquoise Inlay or Firoozehkubi was done about 60 or 70 years ago in Mashhad (North Khorasan) by Nematullah Layegh (known as Nematullah Khan) and was brought to Isfahan. Turquoise Inlay or Firoozehkubi, like many arts, has a decorative and luxurious aspect. But since this art is done on dishes such as confectionery, Sugar Candy Bowl, Vases, Sprinklers, Sangabs and etc, They also have a practical aspect. But as we said, Turquoise Inlay or Firoozehkubi was applied to the jewelry before it was done on the dishes. An art that still has many fans today. But today, Turquoise Inlay or Firoozehkubi is used not only on dishes and jewelry, to make exquisite tableau.
The steps of making Turquoise Inlay or Firoozehkubi are:
Surface preparation: The surface under the work is made by hand or press machine, smoothed and polished and ready for the next step.
Firoozehkubi: Turquoise Master separates turquoise particles, which should be similar in size and color, from others. After determining the type of stone to be worked on the surface the surface of the metal is heated a little, at this time, a little powder varnish (walnut varnish) is sprayed on the surface. When the varnish is in a molten state, turquoise is applied on it. After covering the desired surface with turquoise and filling the empty spaces between the turquoises with smaller turquoises, it is smoothed and polished with the help of “Absan” stone to remove the ridges of lacquer and turquoise and get a one-handed surface. It is at this point that the true color of turquoise appears.
Finishing: At this stage, the turquoise surfaces are polished and then polyester is applied on it, which is due to the protection of the work surface and also the maximum beauty of the effect.
