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Minakari enamel vs Jewellery and gem setting

میناکاری · جواهرسازی

Minakari enamel: A decorative technique in which powdered coloured glass is fused by heat onto the surface of gold, silver or copper objects, producing a smooth, glossy coloured surface, historically practised in Isfahan on vessels, jewellery and decorative panels. Jewellery and gem setting: Iranian jewellery ranges from gold and gem-set court ornaments to silver tribal adornment, often combining enamel, turquoise, pearls and coloured stones.

Side by side

Minakari enamelJewellery and gem setting
Persian nameمیناکاریجواهرسازی
CategoryMetalwork · EnamelMetalwork · Gold and silver jewellery
Materialscopper, brasssilver, turquoise
Techniquesmetal-enamellingwire-filigree, metal-enamelling
Regionsisfahanisfahan, mashhad
Periodssafavid, qajar, pahlavi, contemporaryseljuk, safavid, qajar, contemporary
Motifsgol-o-morgh, eslimi-arabesque—
Current vitalityLiving traditionLiving tradition

What they share

  • Techniques: metal-enamelling
  • Regions: isfahan
  • Periods: safavid, qajar, contemporary

How to tell them apart

  • Materials such as copper, brass point towards Minakari enamel.
  • Materials such as silver, turquoise point towards Jewellery and gem setting.
  • Jewellery and gem setting typically involves wire-filigree.
  • The stated place of making is a useful clue, but never proof on its own.

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Disclaimer

This comparison is educational and built from entries still under review. It cannot confirm what a particular object is.