Setting
Qeshm stretches along the strait, a long arid island of salt domes, mangrove channels and fishing villages.
Why this place matters for craft
Lenj wooden boat building and the associated navigational knowledge of the Gulf are documented as intangible heritage, and yards on the island still work in timber. Village crafts include plaiting and embroidery.
Quarters, bazaars and workshops
| Area | What is there |
|---|---|
| Boatyards | Timber lenj construction and repair; working yards, not exhibits. |
| Village markets | Embroidery and palm work sold informally. |
What to look for on an object
- Timber boat work — Planks fastened with shaped ribs and visible caulking; a working yard smells of wood and oil.
These notes are for learning to look, not for authentication. No description here certifies an object, its age or its origin.
Practical notes
- Boatyards are workplaces; ask before entering or photographing.
- Ferries from Bandar Abbas run frequently but weather can interrupt.
- Workshop addresses, bazaar hours and market days change; confirm locally before travelling.
Season: November to March.
Used in these crafts
A broad term for Iranian needle embroidery on cotton, silk or wool grounds, including counted, darned and satin-stitch work used on covers, garments and prayer cloths.
A relief wood-carving technique in which solid panels, furniture and architectural elements are carved directly with chisels to produce raised or recessed floral, arabesque and geometric ornament, distinct from inlay techniques that build a surface from separate pieces.
Iranian jewellery ranges from gold and gem-set court ornaments to silver tribal adornment, often combining enamel, turquoise, pearls and coloured stones.