Shiraz
Located in southwestern Iran, Shiraz is the capital city of Fars Province. A metropolis, Shiraz is one of the largest cities in Iran; its population was 1,565,572 in 2016. Due to its central position in the SouthernZagros Region and as it is located in a fairly fertile region; it has always been a bustling center for commerce. It is also the gate to reach the southern provinces of Iran, including Booshehr. However, its attractions go far beyond its commercially and logistically strategic location and extend to history, art, culture, religion and science. Shiraz is famous for poetry and its gardens. Gardens are pivotal in Iranian architecture and culture, and beautiful gardens have made Shiraz global popular. In its turbulent history, Shiraz reached a time of property and peace during the governance of Karim Khan Zand when many momentums of Zandiyeh Complex currently located in the city center, were constructed over 13 years.
In the beginning of the current century, Shiraz was the focus of attention for American and European archeologists and tourists. Professor Pope, presented great services to this city by studying Persepolis and
other ancient and artistic momentums of Fars Province.
According to Professor Arthur Pope’s book The Old Handicrafts of Iran; handicrafts had great influence in Shiraz. Shiraz is internationally renowned for its inlaid art which is the main focus of handicrafts activity in Shiraz after weaving crafts. Vaki l Grand Bazaar has different embranchments such as Sarrajan (saddlers),
Shamhirgar ( swordsmiths ), Mesgari (coppersmiths). The Bazaar has currently saved its original embranchment arrangements. For example Sarayehajaghajani has 7 production Leather embroidered workshops. Bazaar Mesgarha (coppersmiths Bazaar) has 5 active shops. According to the information recorded on the handicrafts Permit System, 13000 personal production licenses are issued in Shiraz. They usually have several apprentices at their workshops. Workshops that have personal production licenses are among smaller
workshops. There are 200 large production workshops that have high standards and extended large – scale production activities. Weaving handicrafts category tops with the largest number of craftspeople in Shiraz. The
activity l icenses of these craftspeople are categorized as household jobs because most of them are active at their houses and do not owe workshops. There are 3,700 household jobs in the field of weaving handicrafts. So there are at least 20,000 licensed handicrafts people active in Shiraz.
ABADEH
Abadeh is the northernmost city of Fars province Iran. It is connected to Isfahan province from the north and west, to Safashahr city from the south and to Yazd province from the east. The distance from Abadeh to Shir
az is 275 km and it is located 200 km south of Isfahan city. Abadeh has suitable and special strategic position due to its location in the vicinity of the southern national road to the centerof Iran.
Numerous books and travelogues mention The woodcarving (monabbat) profession and its products in Abadeh.
To confirm the history of woodcarving (monabbat) in Abadeh, we can refer to the text of some sources written about Iranian art. For example, books: “Masterpieces of Iranian Art” by Arthur Pope, “History of Iranian Industries after Islam” by Mohammad Hassan Zaki , ” O l d handicrafts of Iran” by Hans, A. Wolf, “Review of Iranian Handicrafts” by M.Hassan Beigi and etc. Also, the products that are produced in Abadeh today show thecontinuation of the old traditions too.
The most traditional style of Iranian woodcarving is done in Abadeh. The woods used are mainly walnut and pear trees, which are native to the region. The main tool in the” Abadeh Woodcarving Style (Monabbat)” is just a simple form Knives. Woodcarver Master implements the desired pattern on the appropriate sub-structure. Then, by applying various techniques of Woodcarving. He/she executes the final form on the designs. Mostly, plant and animal motifs are used by them, although the use of other types of motifs is not far from the mind. “Abadeh Woodcarving Style (monabbat)” can be classified as “low relief”.
One of the most famous woodcarving products that produced in Abadeh is wooden spoons which called] “Sherbet Spoon”. Some of them are kept in various museums around the world, such as the “Victoria & Albert Museum” in London. Chess & Backgammon boxes, types of Jewelry Boxes, wooden utensils such as Bowls, Plates and Pots, Sticks etc., are other woodcarving products, which produced in Abadeh.
In 2013, the first National and in 2014, the first International Registration Certificate of the “Geographical Indication” (GI) in Iranian handicrafts was issued for “Monbbat-e Abadeh” (by WIPO, Switzerlan). After that in 2015, the “Techniques of Abadeh Woodcarving Style (Monabbat)” were registered in the “National List of Intangible Heritage” of Iran. In 2017, Abadeh was registered as “National Craft City for Woodcarving (monabbt)” by ICHTO, and finally in 2018, after evaluations of the “World Craft Council (WCC)”, Abadeh was approved and introduced as”World Craft City for Woodcarving (Monabbat)”.
Shiraz handicrafts are a variety rural, nomadic and urban handicrafts that all have brilliant international brand and title.
Shiraz carpet, gabbeh and kilim and all kinds of Qashqai handicrafts occupy a significant part of the city’s large and traditional bazaar. Shiraz khatam is generally con centrated in furniture sector; it has a world–wide reputation and an international geographical indication.
Wooden, metal, glass handicrafts architectural decorations, stone and other groups of handicrafts and arts have a significant prosperity in Shiraz whichcan be seen up close with a shortwalk in the city.