Firoozeh Koobi (Persian: فیروزه کوبی; ''Firouze Koobi'', or ''Firuzehkubi'') is an Iranian handicraft made of a
copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from la, cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkis ...
vessel that is covered with inlayed turquoise stone.
It is one of the most popular souvenirs of
Isfahan
Isfahan ( fa, اصفهان, Esfahân ), from its Achaemenid empire, ancient designation ''Aspadana'' and, later, ''Spahan'' in Sassanian Empire, middle Persian, rendered in English as ''Ispahan'', is a major city in the Greater Isfahan Regio ...
.
Although the technique has a short history, due to the use of
precious stones
A gemstone (also called a fine gem, jewel, precious stone, or semiprecious stone) is a piece of mineral crystal which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments. However, certain rocks (such as lapis lazuli, opal, a ...
and the design it is highly valued.
History
Since the ancient times in Persia, turquoise has been a valued gemstone; the oldest turquoise mine in Iran is the
Nishapur
Nishapur or officially Romanized as Neyshabur ( fa, ;Or also "نیشاپور" which is closer to its original and historic meaning though it is less commonly used by modern native Persian speakers. In Persian poetry, the name of this city is wr ...
mine. Roughly in the 1950s, Yusef Hakimian founded this art in
Mashhad
Mashhad ( fa, مشهد, Mašhad ), also spelled Mashad, is the List of Iranian cities by population, second-most-populous city in Iran, located in the relatively remote north-east of the country about from Tehran. It serves as the capital of R ...
.
Today, Firoozeh Koobi is created primarily in Isfahan, and many artists and craftsmen have set up turquoise workshops in this city.
Firoozeh Koobi is a product made of copper, brass, silver, or bronze, in which small pieces of turquoise stone are placed together on a part of its surface in a mosaic form.
Turquoise inlaying is recognized in Iran as an art-industry in the division and classification of Iranian handicrafts, which has an artistic and aesthetic aspect and has a decorative application.
Turquoise Inlaying is commonly used for decorating items such as jewelry, vases, candlesticks, and mirror frames.
See also
*
Iranian handicrafts
Iranian handicrafts are handicraft or handmade crafted works originating from Iran.
Basketry and wickerwork
* , a bamboo wickerwork or textile, used to make floor mats, stools, and fans.
* , a palm leaf basketry.
* , an indigenous boat made of ...
References
{{reflist
Persian handicrafts
Copper objects
Culture in Isfahan