''Ayeneh-kari'' () is a kind of Iranian

interior decoration Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. With a keen eye for detail and a creative flair, an interior d ...

where artists assemble finely cut

mirrors A mirror, also known as a looking glass, is an object that reflects an image. Light that bounces off a mirror forms an image of whatever is in front of it, which is then focused through the lens of the eye or a camera. Mirrors reverse the ...

together in geometric, calligraphic or foliage forms (inspired by flowers and other plants). This creates a beautiful shining surface covered with complex facets, reflecting light as intricate abstract patterns or glittering reflections. Beside their decorative use, this art form is used as a strong durable cover for interior spaces. This type of mosaic work is commonly done in

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...

Pakistan Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...

and is also found is Mughal era buildings of

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

Etymology

The word Ayeneh-kari is a

Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

compound word, composed of the words ayeneh and kari. Ayeneh means mirror. Kari means to do or place something onto something else. Together, the word Ayeneh-kari means mirror-work.

History

In ancient Iranian cultures, water and mirrors symbolised purity, light and truthfulness, and their use in Iranian architecture also has the same meaning and comes from the same concept. During the Zand and

Qajar The Guarded Domains of Iran, alternatively the Sublime State of Iran and commonly called Qajar Iran, Qajar Persia or the Qajar Empire, was the Iranian state under the rule of the Qajar dynasty, which was of Turkic origin,Cyrus Ghani. ''Iran an ...

eras, this craft was applied over doorways, window-frames, walls, ceilings, and columns in pavilions and private houses, tea-houses and zūrḵānas, as well as royal buildings and shrines. The funerary complex of

Shah Cheragh The Shah Cheragh (; ) is a Twelver Shi'ite funerary monument and religious complex located in Shiraz, in the province of Fars, Iran. The 12th-century complex is centred around the mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad, the son of Musa al-Kazim, who is kn ...

Shiraz Shiraz (; ) is the List of largest cities of Iran, fifth-most-populous city of Iran and the capital of Fars province, which has been historically known as Pars (Sasanian province), Pars () and Persis. As of the 2016 national census, the popu ...

, Iran, features extensive use of Ayeneh-kari. It also appears as an external architectural facade, within semi-domed ayvāns that mark the entrance of tālārs, courtyards, gardens and reflecting pools. Elements of this craft have been attributed to Venetian glassmakers invited to Iran by the

Safavid The Guarded Domains of Iran, commonly called Safavid Iran, Safavid Persia or the Safavid Empire, was one of the largest and longest-lasting Iranian empires. It was ruled from 1501 to 1736 by the Safavid dynasty. It is often considered the begi ...

shah Shāh (; ) is a royal title meaning "king" in the Persian language.Yarshater, Ehsa, ''Iranian Studies'', vol. XXII, no. 1 (1989) Though chiefly associated with the monarchs of Iran, it was also used to refer to the leaders of numerous Per ...

Abbas the Great Abbas I (; 27 January 1571 – 19 January 1629), commonly known as Abbas the Great (), was the fifth Safavid Iran, Safavid shah of Iran from 1588 to 1629. The third son of Mohammad Khodabanda, Shah Mohammad Khodabanda, he is generally considered ...

, in the 17th century. This art form may have also evolved from the creative reuse of shattered fragments of imported mirrors. By the 19th century, affluent homes in

Isfahan Isfahan or Esfahan ( ) is a city in the Central District (Isfahan County), Central District of Isfahan County, Isfahan province, Iran. It is the capital of the province, the county, and the district. It is located south of Tehran. The city ...

featured a 'mirror room' as a reception space, in which mirror work was combined with carved stucco and the display of artist's prints.Parviz Tanavoli, 'European Women in Persian Houses: Western Images in Safavid and Qajar Iran' Bloomsbury Publishing, 29 Jan 2016 pp. 32-34

Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian (; 13 January 1922 – 20 April 2019) was an Iranian artist and a collector of traditional folk art. She is noted for having been one of the most prominent Iranian artists of the contemporary period, and she was the ...

was an Iranian artist who, by re-interpreting Ayeneh-kari, brought the art form into the contemporary art scene.

Gallery

File:Aina-kari near Zarih of Fatima Masumeh Shrine, Qom, Iran.jpg, Ayeneh-kari of

Fatima Masumeh Shrine The Shrine of Fatima Masumeh () is a Twelver Shi'ite shrine, located in the city of Qom, in the province of Qom, Iran. Qom is considered by Twelver Shia Muslims to be the second most sacred city in Iran after Mashhad. Fatima Masumeh was the si ...

Qom Qom (; ) is a city in the Central District of Qom County, Qom province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district. It is the seventh largest metropolis and also the seventh largest city in Iran. The city is ...

File:Mirrored interior of Shah Cheragh mosque (49687468007).jpg, Ayeneh-kari on the ceiling of

shrine, Shiraz File:Chehel Sotoun ceiling.jpg, Ceiling of

Chehel Sotoun Chehel Sotoun (, ) is a Persian pavilion in the middle of a park at the far end of a long pool, in Isfahan, Iran, built by Shah Abbas II to be used for his entertainment and receptions. In this palace, Shah Abbas II and his successors would re ...

's mirror hall that contains Ayeneh-kari, Isfahan File:2011 Sahebqraniyeh Palace Tehran 6250140114.jpg, Ayeneh-kari in Sahebgharaniyeh Palace,

Niavaran Complex The Niavaran Palace Complex ( – ''Majmue-ye Kākh-e Niāvarān'') is a historical palace complex situated in Shemiran (northern Tehran), Iran. It consists of several palace buildings and monuments dating back to the Qajar and Pahlavi eras. ...

, Tehran File:Golestan Palace, Tehran, Iran (53760330898).jpg, Ayeneh-kari in the Brilliant Hall of Golestan Palace, Tehran File:Golestan Palace, A UNESCO WHS - Tehran.jpg, Ayeneh-kari on the stairs leading up to the Salam Hall of Golestan Palace, Tehran File:Iranmall's Mirror Hall.jpg, Ayeneh-kari in the Mirror Hall of

Iran Mall The Iran Mall () is a shopping mall in Iran. It is located in northwest Tehran by Chitgar Lake. The multi-purpose complex was designed on land with an area of and seven floors. Its infrastructure area in the first phase is , which will be inc ...

, Tehran

References

{{Iranian architecture Interior design Persian art Mirrors Islamic art Mosaic Islamic glass Islamic architectural elements Iranian architectural elements

Etymology

History

Gallery

See also

References