Side by side
| Qalam-zani | Filigree (Malileh) | |
|---|---|---|
| Persian name | قلمزنی | ملیلهکاری |
| Category | Metalwork · Engraving | Metalwork · Wirework |
| Materials | brass, copper | silver, copper |
| Techniques | chisel-engraving | wire-filigree |
| Regions | isfahan, tabriz | isfahan, sistan-baluchestan |
| Periods | seljuk, safavid, qajar, contemporary | qajar, pahlavi, contemporary |
| Motifs | eslimi-arabesque, gol-o-morgh | eslimi-arabesque |
| Current vitality | At risk | At risk |
What they share
- Materials: copper
- Regions: isfahan
- Motifs: eslimi-arabesque
- Periods: qajar, contemporary
How to tell them apart
- Materials such as brass point towards Qalam-zani.
- Materials such as silver point towards Filigree (Malileh).
- Qalam-zani typically involves chisel-engraving.
- Filigree (Malileh) 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.