Iran Art Exhibition
Iran Art Exhibition

PYROGRAPHY ART OR WOOD-BURNING IN IRAN

IRAN ART EXHIBITION: PYROGRAPHY ART OR WOOD-BURNING IN IRAN

In this post, we will answer these questions. What is pyrography? and what is the history of pyrography? Pyrography or Pyrogravure is the art of decorating wood or other materials with burn marks due to controlled application of a hot object such as poker (a fire iron or a wire). It is also known as pokerwork or wood burning. This term means “writing with fire,” which is derived from two Greek words of pur (fire) and graphics (writing). The history of pyrography probably dates back to the fire discovery era. Pyrography art or wood-burning, as the name indicates, represents burning wood using a hot metal wire and creating new shapes, textures, and lines. The method is also used for leather burning.
The pyrography art enjoys a simple learning curve, and it is relatively cost-effective compared to the other arts. Therefore many art lovers are attracted to it. Some notable benefits of pyrography (wood burning) include cost-effectiveness and the high availability of its tools. Only by using a simple soldering iron, a piece of wood, sandpaper, and a pattern, an incredible work of art could be created. Some disadvantages of this art include lack of sufficient knowledge of people about it. So that they could not distinguish it from painting.

History of Pyrography (wood burning)
Unfortunately, The ancient art of pyrography (wood-burning) is an unknown art regarding its applications, techniques, history, and proper education, and its date origin is ambiguous. The art of modern pyrography does not have a long history because it is based on soldering iron, and it seems that its date is not more than 20 years. Probably the traditional history form of pyrography, that is by using a hot wire tool, is more than 20 years and has been used to decorate wooden artifacts all around the world. It seems that it was used in Peru 3000 years ago. It has been used to decorate artifacts like musical instruments and kitchen appliances in Europe, Asia, Australia, and America. Also, in Europe, pyrography has emerged in Renascence and medieval eras.

History of Pyrography (wood burning) in Iran
The art of leather burning dates back to the Safavid dynasty. In this era, art was applied on the cover of the Quran and valuable handwritten books. Between the extinction of the Safavid dynasty to Qajar era, this art was forgotten. Of course, in a similar form, the negative and positive brass molds were used to create leather covers, that only heat was used to create patterns by deforming leather using embossed and dented tools. The creators of traditional instruments used the method to decorate them and imprint the master builder on them using hot metal stamps.
Today, pyrography (wood burning) has turned into an art and a custom and includes using a hot tip or wire to burn a precise pattern on natural materials like leather or wood in a controlled manner. Burning could be achieved by the special pyrography tools of used tip type, temperature, or the iron application method. A tool with a solid point (like a soldering iron) or a hot wire tool could be used for that.

IRAN ART EXHIBITION: Pyrography, also known as Pyrogravure, is an art with a long history. In this art, as its name suggests, wood is burned with molten metal and designs are created on it.
Evidence such as a wooden shoulder and door discovered in the burnt city show the presence of this art in ancient Iran. But this art can not be considered limited to our country, and in countries such as Peru and Greece, the art of pyrography has been popular. But if we want to introduce the origin of this art, according to the evidence that remains from 5000 years ago, we can not think of any country except Iran. Despite its 3,000-year-old art in Peru, the country is still known for its origins.
The beauty and grace of pyrography has caused many people to seek its works. In such a way that the market for buying and selling these works has flourished, especially in online handicraft stores.

The art of pyrography has been around for centuries. It is an age-old technique where a heated metal pen is used to burn wood and other materials, leaving behind a decorative pattern. Also known as woodburning, pyrography is a fantastic technique for skilled sketchers to try their hand at a different medium. The history of the craft dates back to the Egyptians and some African tribes, and in China it was known as fire needle embroidery. Throughout history, artists have been able to express themselves by creatively burning strokes into wood, leather, and even gourds.
Though pyrography can be practiced with any heated metal tool, different tips on modern woodburning equipment allow artists to experiment with a wide variety of brushstrokes to create different effects. Solid tips—similar to a soldering iron—allow for big, bold lines, while looped nibs can provide fine shading. And by applying different pressure, pyrography artists can achieve different tones, from light brown to rich chestnut hues.

Best Wood for Pyrography
Light-colored woods are typically used as a canvas for pyrography. Beech, birch, and sycamore are perfect for showing off the artwork due to their coloring and light grain. Maple, pine, walnut, and oak are also popular choices. For safety reasons, it’s essential to use untreated wood. Pressure-treated wood, particle board, and MDF all contain chemicals that will release harmful toxins into the air when burned. It’s also advised to wear a mask, as fine dust particles and resins released from the wood can cause harm over time.

Creating Woodburning Art
Once you have your pyrography pen and safety gear, you can let your imagination run wild. You can either draw your design directly onto the wood with pencil, or use graphite paper to trace and transfer any image you desire. Then you’re ready to burn! Cutting boards, furniture, spoons, and boxes are just some of the items you can etch designs into. Others prefer disks of wood that can be hung like a canvas on the wall, and once you get going it’s not difficult to find all types of innovative projects.

IRAN ART EXHIBITION: Sookht-e-Moarragh (pyrography or burnt the leather) is known as pokerwork or wood burning too, it means writing with fire. The art form goes back to prehistory by early humans when they made some picture by fire on the natural materials such as wood animal skins or stones. Then it was widespread to China, Egypt, Africa, Greece, and etc.
However its special form or Iranian pattern and some call it decuple art as an art perfection, because of dominating on the variety of arts such as skin, drawing, Moaragh, coloring, woodcarving, gilding, calligraphy, gold blocking, Tazhib (gilding), and binding. This art is going to forget , rarly are working it.
Nowadays this exclusive art is in Iran and among isfahanian artists with some specific features, which is distinguished from the other paintings. It started before the Timurid dynasty and then due to the capital movement to Isfahan in Safavid dynasty, it has been in the peak of perfection. Finally Sookht-e-Moaragh has gotten the most great changes in 1921 by the late master Mir Mohammad Moalem Khoshnevis and the late master Taghi Kalbasi, who were the originators of innovation.

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