Iran has a rich history of art and civilization dating back to ancient times. Advanced materials such as tiles were first used in structures like Persepolis in Iran. Iranian art has a unique and lasting influence on structures and tools made in the country. The beauty and uniqueness of Iranian tiles make them a popular choice for art enthusiasts. In this article, we will delve into the history of Iranian tiles and explore their different types.
The History of Persian Tiles
Persian tiles are one of Iran’s most significant handicrafts, with a long and venerable history. This art dates back to ancient times and has since become a source of great pride, appreciated universally.
Ceramic tiles have been present in Iran for 8,000 years. They are a common feature of the traditional fabric of the country. For instance, the Zarin Fam tile is considered the oldest type of baked Persian tile, having been found in historical buildings. By comparing older designs of Persian tiles, we can see how much this industry has grown in Iran and the support and experience it relies on.
Interestingly, the tile industry originally came from the pottery industry, which has existed in Iran for 10,000 years. The earliest Persian tiles were used for wall and floor insulation in some buildings.
Traditional designs in Persian tiles
Traditional Persian tiles feature a range of designs that draw inspiration from various elements of nature, such as flowers, plants, trees, birds, and fishes, as well as geometric shapes and traditional patterns. The tiles are designed in a wide variety of colors and shapes and often incorporate Indian, Mongolian, Ottoman, and Chinese designs. The intricate and beautiful designs of traditional Persian tiles have always been highly valued and admired by people both in Iran and beyond.
Types of old Persian tiling
Persian tiles have a long history of use in decoration and are still popular today.
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Zarin Fam tiling
Zarin Fam tiling is a type of ornamental tile that originates from Iran, particularly from the city of Neyshabur. These tiles are coated with gold or silver and are commonly used for covering walls and floors. They are often adorned with various designs, such as flowers, birds, and animals. Working with Zarin Fam tile is one of Iran’s traditional arts.
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Mosaic tiling
Mosaic tilework is an ancient Persian art that involves creating intricate designs using small pieces of tiles in different colors and patterns. These pieces of tiles are cut and placed together to form a beautiful mosaic pattern. Although the term “mosaic” can be used to describe this type of tilework, there are also some differences between the two.
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Moaqli tiling
Moaqli tiling is a method of creating intricate patterns by fitting together small tiles. This technique involves using straight lines in the vertical and horizontal axes, as well as diagonal lines with a 45-degree angle. If you want to use Kufi designs on your walls or floors, Moaqli tiles are the best choice for achieving the desired effect.
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Seven-colors tiling
The seven-color tile is a type of traditional Persian tile that is popular all around the world. It is made by combining azure, turquoise, red, yellow, fawn, white, and black colors. The process of making this tile involves drawing the design on paper, punching the drawn lines in the design, and finally transferring it onto the tile using charcoal.
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Lattice Tiling
Lattice tiling, commonly used in mosque altars, is created by cutting tiles into various shapes and arranging them according to a specific design.
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Masonry Tiling
Masonry tiling is a type of tiling that is characterized by geometric designs. It is created by combining geometric shapes with an area of 4 to 8. The designs of masonry tiles are similar to Khatam, with the only difference being that Khatam uses only triangular shapes. In contrast, Masonry tiles use both triangles and squares. It is worth noting that each building tile has its special name.
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Enamel Tiling
Enamel tiling is made using a mixture of slime, Khatai, and vegetable designs. Typically, these tiles are blue in color and feature both fine and thick curved lines. The Enamel tiling is usually decorated with a combination of gilding, flowers, leaves, birds, intertwined curved lines, and fine and coarse dots or diagonal lines.
Iranian tile industry in the modern era
The tile-making industry in Iran is currently one of the most active and interesting industries in the country. They produce tiles with new and diverse designs, using natural materials and advanced techniques. Iran is the fifth largest exporter of tiles in the world, and Iranian-made tiles are very popular in international markets.
