Isfahan Souvenir

Isfahan Souvenir

It is not easy to talk about the souvenirs of beautiful lovely Isfahan, known as half of the world. This city represents people who look at everything delicately and artistically. This elegance and accuracy can be seen in their handmade products. In general, Isfahan has two categories of souvenirs we talk about specifically. The first one is handicraft souvenirs, and the second one is edible souvenirs.

Handicraft Souvenirs 

For many centuries, Isfahan handicrafts were introduced in the world as representatives of the authentic art of the Iranian people. These valuable handmade products are a sign of the artistic taste of their creator that makes travelers and tourists eager to demand and buy. By passing through the old markets, you will see the artistic taste of those who combine originality with design and pattern to create a masterpiece.

 

Khatam ( Inlaid work, Persian Marquetry )

One of the basic Isfahan handicrafts is Khatam which dates back to the Safavid era. It is the art of ornamenting the surface of wood products with delicate pieces of wood, bone, and metal cut precisely and joined together to form intricate geometric patterns. The smaller the fragments, the more highly valued the artwork. Gold, silver, brass, aluminum, and twisted wire are common khatam materials. You can see the remaining historical sample of Khatam art on the door of Chahar Bagh Madrasa, also known as Madrasa Madar-i Shah in Isfahan, the wooden pulpit of Isfahan Lonban Mosque, and the doors of the mirror hall of Golestan Palace in Tehran.

Mina Kari (Metal Enameling)

A valuable handicraft of Isfahan province is Mina Kari. It is the art of painting and drawing on copper, sometimes done on gold and silver. Mina Kari means blue sky, and the colors used in it are mainly blue, green, and a little red. It is interesting to know that this art dates back to five-thousand years ago. In the excavations of archaeologists in the city of Nahavand, a pair of Mina kari gold earrings were found that belonged to the 7th or 8th century BC.

 

Messgari (Coppersmithing)

Coppersmithing is one of the oldest handicrafts in Iran, about five-thousand years old. The peak of this art in Iran dates back to the Seljuk dynasty. As copper is more abundant in nature than other metals and easier to obtain, the ancients tried to make copper materials. Today, many people use copper utensils to cook food or decorate their homes. Isfahan Coppersmith’s market is one of the best places to buy different kinds of copper dishes.

Qalamzani ( Etching )

Qalamzani is the art of decorating and creating lines and patterns on metal objects, especially copper, gold, silver, and brass, using a pen and a hammer. This art has a continuous and long history that expresses the culture and civilization of the Iranian people. It reached its peak during the Achaemenid Empire, but at the time of Alexander’s attack on Persepolis, many of these works were melted down and turned into coins. It became popular again during the Sassanid era. The coronation and hunting ceremonies of the Sassanid kings painted by Qalamzani on many dishes remained from that era.

Qalamkari 

Qalamkari is painting and printing on fabric, which has been popular since the Mongols in Isfahan, to decorate many men’s and women’s clothes. This art reached its peak in the Safavid era, and now it is one of the most famous handicrafts of Isfahan. It is done on silk, canvas, linen, and cotton fabrics with Arabesque designs, epic stories, and inscriptions of Iranian poems, nature, and animals.

Miniature 

The delicate and artistic painting in which ancient and mystical images are created is called miniature. Some experts believe that miniature painting came from China to Iran, but currently, with the efforts of artists, the Iranian style of this art has a higher place in the world than Chinese miniatures. Isfahan also is proud of her fine Persian-style miniature paintings and Persian calligraphy of various styles.

Rug

Isfahan has been one of the principal centers of rug weaving since the Safavid era. Although this industry was damaged during the Afghan invasion, it revived during the Qajar period. In Isfahan rugs, the number of colors is limited (15 Colors) compared to other cities’ rugs, and the knots are Persian. In a Persian knot, one half is tied tightly around a warp while the other half is left loose. Do make the Persian knot ideal for high-knot-density rugs with extremely detailed patterns. Rugs from Naeen, and Meymeh, the cities of Isfahan, are famous worldwide for their quality and design. 

Edible Souvenir  

In addition to beautiful and valuable handicrafts, Isfahan also has edible souvenirs as famous as its handicrafts. Some of these souvenirs tie to the name of Isfahan, and hardly anyone mentions them without the name of Isfahan. In the following, we introduce some of the most important and delicious edible souvenirs of this magnificent city.

Gaz

You can rarely find anyone who hears the word Gaz and doesn’t remember Isfahan. About 90% of Iran’s Gaz produces there. It means Isfahan is among the most skilled producers of it with different kinds of this product. In the past, Iranian kings used to offer Gaz to the kings of other countries to show their devotion. They used the extract of Tamarix ( Angabin ) to prepare Gaz, but today the formula for preparing this Isfahan souvenir has changed a little. Rose water, sugar, egg whites, almond and pistachio nuts, honey, and Angabin are some of the ingredients of Gaz.

Poolaki

Poolaki, another delicious popular souvenir of Isfahan, is something like candy. It is like a shiny thin coin that dissolves as it enters the mouth. Sugar, water, white vinegar, and some natural taste of saffron, dried lime, or cocoa powder are the ingredients used in making it.

Nabat (Rock candy) 

Nabat produces in every Iran city. But in Isfahan, it has a first-class taste with different flavors such as lemon, cinnamon, mint, ginger, etc.

Korki Pastry

It is one of the traditional and delicious Pastries of Isfahan, most of the time prepared at the beginning of spring. This sweet has a unique feature in that three types of flour, wheat flour, chickpea flour, and rice flour, are used in it. It is so tasty, soft, crunchy, and popular.

Sohan Asali

Sohan Asali is a delicious and popular Iranian candy originating in Isfahan. It is made of honey, sugar, saffron, almond, pistachios, or other nuts and cooking oil. It is crispy and breaking into shards.

Honey

It is not odd that a city as sweet as Isfahan has souvenirs as delicious as honey. Isfahan Fereydunshahr honey is famous. Bee breeding and honey production are very professional there. 

Last but not least, Isfahan is famous among Iranian cities in terms of historical and tourist attractions in addition to souvenirs. The name of some souvenirs, such as Gaz and Polki, is tied to the name of Isfahan, and few people mention them without the name of Isfahan, so you can buy them as delicious souvenirs.