Termeh Weaving
Termeh is a luxurious and exquisite handwoven textile made with Persian artistry. The principal roots of this skill are not precisely clarified. Some researchers say that Termeh was made in Kashmir highlands and then came to Iran. Others believe that Iranians were the innovators of weaving Termeh. Its history in Iran dates back to the Safavid era in Isfahan. The superior evolution of Termeh happened during Shah Abbas Safavid’s reign and became one of the Iranian exportable products.
Termeh
Weaving and Designs
In the past, the first step in weaving Termeh was preparing its raw materials. It was necessary to wash and dry the wool. A handmade Termeh is made of natural fibers, such as silk, wool, or both, and sometimes gold and silver strings are interwoven into this noticeable textile. For weaving Termeh, high-quality wool with tall fibers is required. The patterns of Iranian Termeh are typically the result of collaboration between two key individuals, an expert and a worker.
Weaving Termeh is meticulous, sensitive, and time-consuming. Skilled weavers could produce only 25 to 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) daily. The background colors used in Termeh are mostly red jujube, light red, green, orange, and black. The liking and initiative of Iranians in the weaving delicacy, material, and fantastic schemes of this handicraft are unique. One of the significant duties and barriers of the weaver of Termeh is choosing and matching the colors by recognizing the harmonious colors or even contrasting in a particular form, which can describe a kind of congruity and beauty, so it is considered a secret in the Iranian weaving Termeh.
Skilled weavers use a traditional handloom called Ghlimeh to create the fabric. The weaving process requires great precision and attention to detail. The fabrics often feature intricate designs and motifs, including paisley patterns, floral motifs, and geometric shapes. The most vital Termeh pattern is the paisley (in the Persian language Botteh, or Botteh Jeghe) and the Shah Abbasi flower. Each motif has a distinct meaning and significant role in Iranian culture as the Botteh, or Botteh Jeghe pattern has roots in ancient Iranian religion, Mithraism, and its footprint can be found in Persian Carpets and other Persian craftsmanship like Ghalamkar textiles. This pattern on a Termeh is accompanied by other designs involving cypress, fish, birds, and delicate floral forms.
Termeh is made in different colors, including distinct shades of red jujube, green, orange, and turquoise blue, but all colors are deep and modest. The number of colors, the motif’s delicacy, and the textile’s quality assess the worth of a Termeh textile. Termeh is frequently utilized to create a variety of traditional Persian textiles and garments, including scarves, shawls, tablecloths, and decorative items. It is also used in making customary Persian clothing such as jackets, vests, and formal attire.
Sermeh Doozi
In ancient Persia, a prominent needlework was called Sermeh Doozi. The embossed method has long been employed on luxurious fabrics and clothing. The artist utilizes a threaded needle and passes it through small, delicate pieces of gold embroidery tube (Sermeh), sews, and secures it to the fabric. The designer usually makes the motifs and patterns more glamorous and outstanding using pearls and beads. This sort of embossed work is truly marvelous and one of a kind.
Heart of Termeh Production
Yazd and Isfahan were the first cities to be known for their Termeh. The history of the Termeh is linked to the Silk Road, where merchants brought silk to Iran. During that time, Iranian artisans took the opportunity to create and showcase masterpieces such as Termeh. By traveling to Yazd, you can see various types of Termeh in this city’s traditional or modern markets. Nearly all locals and those with Yazdi ancestry possess some weaving skills in Termeh. Currently, Termeh in Yazd is offered to the market manually or even by machine and fully meets the needs of consumers. Termeh is a souvenir of the city of Yazd. The city of Yazd is known as the cradle of Termeh weaving and offers its products to the market with more unique features than other producers throughout Iran. This has made the characteristics of Yazdi Termeh more unique than others, such as more shine, Tenderness, Beauty and Order, and High Diversity.
More Shine
If Yazdi Termeh is woven with pure silk, it has more extensive shine than others do. When choosing Yazd Termeh, paying attention to the shine of the Termeh fabric can be helpful. The brighter the Termeh you are considering and the more its colors have an impression on your eyes, the higher the quality and more authentic it is. Of course, without directly comparing Yazdi Termeh and other Termeh, you may be a little hesitant to examine the shine of the products. But know that a Termeh woven in Yazd is a product with an extraordinary and captivating shine.
Tenderness
Another unique feature of Termeh is its exceptional softness. If the Termeh is woven from pure silk, it will be tender. Even without silk, Yazd Termeh is still soft and premium. But if the Yazdi Termeh you want is not woven with silk, then again, due to the specialized knowledge of weaving Termeh, the Yazd souvenir of Termeh will be a little softer and smoother than other types of Termeh.
Beauty and Order
One of the unique features of Termeh is its stunning beauty and centuries-old artistry. Yazdi Termeh weavers are skilled artisans who excel at enhancing the beauty of Termeh. This expertise makes Yazd’s souvenir Termeh exceptionally beautiful compared to others. The beauty and order of Termeh are achieved by using high-quality, colorful fibers and eye-catching designs, with careful attention to skillfully combining the finest raw materials.
These Termeh are woven precisely. You cannot observe any misalignment in the individual cells. This level of craftsmanship showcases the exceptional skill of Yazd termeh weavers.
High Diversity
One notable feature of Termeh is its wide variety. Given the boom in the art of Termeh weaving in Yazd province, manufacturers try to offer their products to the market with an exemplary variety to have a beautiful and practical product for every style. Yazdi products present several features, such as shape, color, material, and design, allowing you to choose the best and highest quality options that match your style from the available selections.
Termeh represents the rich artistic and weaving traditions of Iranian culture and heritage. It is often associated with luxury and elegance. Today, skilled artisans in various regions of Iran continue to produce Termeh, sought after domestically and internationally. This exquisite art form captivates foreign travelers, making Termeh an excellent souvenir.