IRAN ART EXHIBITION: IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION ABOUT TERMEH, THIS ARTICLE ANSWERES YOU
Intro
Termeh is a nice cloth which is woven since Safavi era in Iran. There is an argument between researchers about its origin. Some of them believe that termeh has been made in Kashmir and then brought to Iran.Others say that Iranian have been the innovators of weaving termeh and this material has been taken into concentration like other handicrafts in other parts of the world (Kasmir: Historical region divided between India and Pakistan). But it is a real fact that Iranian termeh in comparison with what ever produced in Kashmir is much better and it has different colours and designs. The only reason that made the Kashmir famous is using a kind of string which is produced by wild goat’s wool. Besides the main place where it lives is Himalaya mountain range located north of India. So Kashmiri termeh weaves have had more availability to it while Iranian had to use fleece.
Weaving
In the past, the first step in termeh weaving was preparing its raw materials. So it was very important to be careful while preparing wool, washing and drying it. Weaving termeh needs a good wool which has tall fibres. Usually, the designs of Iranian termeh were the result of the cooperation between two main persons- an expert and a worker. Weaving Termeh was a very careful, sensitive and time-consuming work that a good weaver could produce only 25 to 30 centimetres (1 feet) in a day. The background colours which are used in termeh are mostly jujube red, light red, green, orange and black.
Designs of Persian Termh
Termeh as a valuable textile has many different usages. So it is woven on different sizes and shapes such as 150*150 or 100*100 centimetres for table cloth and wrapper.
1 – Checked pattern which is like bee’s hive and is used for a tablecloth.
2 – Stripped pattern which is of two models: narrow and wide stripped.
3 – Atabaki pattern which was one of the Kashmiri’s termeh used for expensive fabric because it was a finely woven termeh. Usually, nobles and aristocrats used it as costly and nice cloth.
4 – Zomorrodi pattern in which the green colour was used more than the others.
5- Kashmiri pattern (cashmere) in which the shape of deer’s horn was used for its design.
Pricing of Persian Termeh:
IRAN ART EXHIBITION: While buying termeh, you have to be careful about what are you paying for? Normally termeh is an expensive piece. Shopping for termeh have these factors in mind:
1- Pieces with lining are priced higher than pieces without lining.
2- Trim normally as the trim used becomes wider and more expensive the piece is priced higher.
3- The number of colours used is a very important factor representing how much labour was used for a piece as the number of colours increases the piece is priced dramatically higher.
Any termeh with gold or silver fibres is priced dramatically higher than pieces without. The uniqueness and the designer’s attention to details is an important factor that should be considered.
Where to Buy Termeh?
Persis Crafts sells fine quality quilted Termeh Tablecloths, ade from rayon & cotton in Yazd and Isfahan with colourful Persian traditional designs.
Termeh is a very durable cloth in which fixed colours are used so it can be washed and dried easily. Nowadays termeh is mostly used for the collectable tablecloth and also for cushion covers. These tablecloths are usually decorated with elaborative Persian embroidery called Sermeh Doozi.
Silk is one of the best examples of transition in evolution. One day the caterpillar stops its ordinary instinctive desire to feast on the leaves, hangs upside down from a twig, and magically forms a cocoon. The butterfly flies into its new way of life in the sky and leaves us a precious material called silk. Termeh is the next step in this exciting game of evolutionary transition. Persian grandmasters use sorcery, magic, and skills to create a delicate fabric called Termeh out of silk, cotton, and wool.
Yazd and Isfahan are the main cities famous for their efforts in making Termeh famous worldwide. The history of Termeh is connected to the silk road. Merchants brought silk to Iran through this road when Iranian ingenuity used this opportunity to introduce a masterpiece like Termeh to the world.
One of the main destinations amazed by Termeh was India. Iranian and Indian cultures are similar and have a lot in common. The people of India also played a huge role in the ongoing progression of Termeh, especially with their usage of vibrant colors, and unique designs.
Traditional and Modern Usage of Termeh
Termeh used to be one of the iconic elements and signs of wealth, power, and social class.
It was only available for aristocratic families, and the upper class would use Termeh in curtains, clothing, and even Sajjadeh or Islamic praying rugs. People also used Termeh as an essential part of a dowry to provide economic support for young couples. Silk was also a sign of the bourgeoisie worldwide as the term “silk-stocking” in English is evidence supporting this argument.
IRAN ART EXHIBITION: These days, Termeh can be found in different price ranges, for everyone to use, although its status has been changed, and people use Termeh in their daily life. They use it as cushions, table cloth, furniture cover, handbags, and even shoes. The dowry tradition is still alive, and young brides (especially in Yazd and Isfahan) take expensive pieces of Termeh to their future house of love.
Why Is Termeh So Valuable?
The simple fact that Termeh is a handwoven cloth made of fabrics (especially silk) that are so hard to work with makes the production time consuming, hard to master, and difficult in general.
Silk is an expensive material, the colors used in high-quality Termeh are usually natural, and therefore more valuable, and the number of masters working on high-quality handwoven Termeh, are very limited.
What Are the Different Designs of Termeh?
The process of making Termeh is very similar to carpets. First, you need a simple design on a white paper; then the designer determines different colors for each part. Nowadays, some people even use computers to ease the process of designing.
Masters create colors of Termeh using the endless features of nature. The rose madder, saffron flower, tea leaves, and the skin of walnut, pomegranate, and apple tree are the most common natural dyers used in Termeh.
IRAN ART EXHIBITION: A particular design called paisley, in the shape of a bending cypress, is seen in almost every Termeh. The design shows the specific role of cypress in Persian culture and the fact that cypress is famous for being the symbol of modesty.
Where Can You Buy the Best Termeh?
Yazd and Isfahan are the main candidates when it comes to the origin city of Termeh fabric, and both have many masters and workshops, practicing this splendid art. The grand Bazaars in both cities provide high-quality handwoven Termeh; you can wander around these historical landmarks and compare different types of your desired fabric.
How to Identify a Valuable Termeh From a Cheap One?
In general, the number of colors used in Termeh, and the density of threads determine how valuable it is. More colors and more density means higher quality and therefore, more expensive. The silk percentage, unique patterns, and famous brands are also crucial elements in value identification. I recommend asking an expert if you want to buy Termeh, and you can find them in historical bazaars of Isfahan and Yazd.
How to Keep Termeh?
Keep Termeh in dry and dark places. Silk is highly sensitive to light and could be affected massively, resulting in discolored and faded areas. The moth is another danger that you have to keep an eye on; you can use many moth repellents such as cedar, rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender, or bay leaves. Termeh should not be washed, and the only way to clean them is to dry clean them.
