Craft comparison

Under review

Qalam-zani vs Minakari enamel

قلم‌زنی · میناکاری

Qalam-zani: The Iranian tradition of decorating copper, brass and silver vessels with small chisels struck by hammer, working the metal into line, ground and relief. 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.

Side by side

Qalam-zaniMinakari enamel
Persian nameقلم‌زنیمیناکاری
CategoryMetalwork · EngravingMetalwork · Enamel
Materialsbrass, coppercopper, brass
Techniqueschisel-engravingmetal-enamelling
Regionsisfahan, tabrizisfahan
Periodsseljuk, safavid, qajar, contemporarysafavid, qajar, pahlavi, contemporary
Motifseslimi-arabesque, gol-o-morghgol-o-morgh, eslimi-arabesque
Current vitalityAt riskLiving tradition

What they share

  • Materials: brass, copper
  • Regions: isfahan
  • Motifs: eslimi-arabesque, gol-o-morgh
  • Periods: safavid, qajar, contemporary

How to tell them apart

  • Qalam-zani typically involves chisel-engraving.
  • Minakari enamel typically involves metal-enamelling.
  • The stated place of making is a useful clue, but never proof on its own.

Read more

Disclaimer

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