The Traditional Crafts Of Qeshm

Sea-Shell Products

It is merely a matter of personal preference to deal with a particular kind od material for the pesentation of one's own artistic talent and abilities or solely for self-expression.Mother-of-pearl, sea-shell and corals are among the materials that due to fragility, their processing requires a great deal of patience and an elaborate craftsmanship.Nevertheless, this type of craft, because of the abundance f raw materials, has attracted a considerable number of young people. They are motivated by their fervent desire for novelty and creating exotic designs that the nature of sea-shells and corals permit.Among the items produced, various statuetted, all-hangings, vases and ash-trays have created much interest and are very popular with those who are fond of marines-based products.

Miniature Painting

For many centuries the miniature painting has been unique to the city of Isfahan, which has brought much fame and credit to the artists and artisans of that city.The outstanding aptitude for fine arts crafts that have been shown by young people inspired the crafts' directoracte to familiarize them with miniature painting. The instructors are chosen from outstanding Isfahani miniaturists and the style of work taught is the same as that which is practiced in Isfahan, mainly inspired with the Safavid style. For this reason and in view of the subtlety and refinedment of the works, one cannot easily distinguish the origin of one from the other.The most popular designs are hunting scenes, polo races, historical monuments, legendary births and animals, for which water colors are applied by means of tiny brushes within the previously drawn outlines.Although handicrafts have to reflect the natural, historical and social environments of each region, it is intended to distinguish the miniature painting of Qeshm Island by depicting the local features. It is hoped this will develop the imagination and awareness of the artisans in connection with their surroundings.

Ornamental Ribbons & Embroidery

The predominace of customs and traditions has inspired the women of Qeshm island to take advantage of their taste and ability to produce a wide variety of intricate ornamental ribbons and the finest embroideries (Golabatun doozi and khoos dozi) in which mental strands are interwoven with silk or rayon threads.In the process of production more than fifty different designs are being developed which proves the dexterity of the artisans and their inherent tendency towards beauty. These ribons with the width of 5mm to 50 mm are traditionally used as ornaments on women's dresses combined with colorful spangles on finely embroidered articles.Beacause of the orientation of the market, the items produced with the use of fancy ribbons combined with leather and textiles are wallets, belts, key holders, tableclothes, cigaratte boxes, lamp shades and other objects for daily use. This new trend will serve the revitalization of a long standing art which is fading due to the coming into fashion of new style of dresses which are not in harmony with these traditional ornaments.

Basketry

Due to the abundance of palm leaves on the one hand and the everyday needs for practical objects on the other, the people of the area have been familiar with wicker-work or basketry from a long time.In recent years the growing tendency towards natural fibers instead of synthetic ones has prompted the local artisans to create new designs for making of the types of products, which are in touch with the changing and widely different tastes of both the domestic and foreign customers.In line with the new market trends, finer and more flexible palm leaves are being employed through intricate methods of interlacing and plaiting. To make products in vivid colors, the palm leaves have to be dyed beforehand. For this purpose colorful woolen threads are twised around palm fibers in the process of interlacing by applying geometrical or floral designs.The items produced include shopping-baskets, hand-bags, bird cages, fruit vessels, bread servers, mals, lamp-shades, hat and finally garden chairs in combination with wooden frames.

Lute Making

Making musical instruments, as a line of handicrafts, has always animated a dexterous workmanship while keeping alive the traditional arts. The Lute, a type of stringed musical instrument which is played with the fingers, has always been in touch with poetry and singing. This instrument, also known as "Oud" and "Barbat", is frequently noted by prominent Persian poets for it sweet sound.Similarly, and with the same approach, in French literature the word "Luth" for Lute is additionally credited as "Poetique Aspiration" or fervent poetical desire.To make a Lute with a desirable performance, thin narrow strips of walnut, olive or maple wood are used in the design of its body or "belly".Sometimes, to add extra beauty, these types of wooden strips are stuck side by side on a wooden framework by using delicate and different shades of color. After coating the surface with lacquer, the metal-like strings, the main part of the work, are intricately adjusted on it.In order to promote this type of craft with regard to its popularity, the Q.F.A. Organization has generously assisted to set up a weel-equipped workshop for the training of new artisans in this field under the direction of a self-devoted master-craftsman, whose valuable experience has been transfered to a number of the native youngsters till now.

Kilim

As a typical floor-covering, a vast variety of Kilims under different local names are produced throughout Iran (Persia).This line of crafts, both in terms of active workforce and volume of production, ranks second place after carpet weaving among the country's most exuberant crafts. Apparently the application of the intericate techniques used for weaving together with the diverse designs and the use of quality raw materials have put the country in a unique place.Although the artisans of Qeshm have only recently become familiar with this craft, they are showing their keen interest and tremendous talent in producing very fine kilims. The end products are equally valuable as those of Fars, East Azerbaijan and Ardebil provinces, that have centuries-long experience in this tradition.The Kilims of Qeshm, which are woven by the woman, are marked with geometrical designs evolved by interweaving woolen warps with woolen wefts on portable, vertical looms. the measurements of produced items are quite varied. The sizes of 160 by 110 centimeters, which are used as floor-coverings, are much more popular with customers, while the smaller sizes of 90 by 70 centimeters, which are used as prayer-rugs, are in great demand. Both sizes of these kilims are equal in terms of their light weight and fixibility and they can be easily folded and packed for outdoor use. Moreover the combination of kilim and leather produces attractive and practical articles such as cushions, bags and suitcases.

Photos & Texts: Qeshm Monthly, Vol. 10, No. 99, June-July. 2004 - The Traditional Crafts of Qeshm Island, at a Glance