vitreous enamel

vitreous enamel

First, we introduce Mina’s art to some extent. vitreous enamel Then we introduce vitreous enamel products Enameling on copper is one of the specialized and popular fields of Isfahan handicrafts artists, which due to its timeless nature and wide and tasteful market with high varieties of enameled dishes has caused that due to the long history of this art, there is room for activity and The work is for tasteful and specialized artists. First, we will get to know the word enameling and its meaning, and then you will get to know the production steps on this page

Glossary: ​​Enamel is a material of translucent or transparent glass glaze that is applied on Tiles and metals are used for engraving and it is a combination of lapis lazuli in Dehkhoda dictionary: enamel in the word a kind of flower, enamel of teeth, a kind of bird, the act of enameling silver and so on. In general, it can be said that the comprehensive definition of enamel art is: the art of fire and clay with baked colors and mineral-type metals is called enamel art. Professor Pope has written about Iran’s enameling in the book “Siri Dar Art Iran

vitreous enamel History of enameling in Isfahan

Isfahan enamelling, we can relate the beginning of this beautiful art to the era of tile making; vitreous enamel Because the same colors are used in the manufacture of enamel that are used in the manufacture of tiles. The art of copper enameling in Isfahan in Iran dates back to the Parthian and Sasanian times, but its use from the beginning of Islam to before the rule of the Mongol Ilkhanids is not clear to us. In fact, it is possible that this art is not Iranian, but from the place where it has passed its evolutionary course in Iran, especially in its artistic capital, the beautiful city of Isfahan, it has become completely Iranian and today in the eyes of the people of the world, it is remembered as a souvenir of Isfahan artists

According to the conducted researches, the history of Hanermina dates back to the ancient Roman era. Because the reports indicate that part of the statue of Zeus is enameled, this statue is one of the 7 wonders and related to 450 years before the birth of Jesus. Minakari is a bright art of fire and clay with baked and bright colors, whose history goes back to years before the birth of Jesus, and its appearance on metal can be seen during the 4th to 6th centuries BC and after 500 years AD

Professor Pope, Arthur Abraham, review of Iranian art) Enamel art has been manifested in our country more than in other parts of the world and one of its examples has survived from the Safavid era. Regarding the history of the art of enameling and which part of the world it belongs to and which country’s artists created and invented it at the beginning of their birth, it is still not possible to give a definite and specific opinion because there have been various opinions and opinions expressed in this matter. vitreous enamel And it didn’t have any results, but from the works that have been obtained, it can be said that enameling has been in our country for a long time and has always been of interest to the people of other countries

Among the silver cups in the Museum of Ancient Iran belonging to the Sassanid dynasty, on which the dancers of the Sassanid era are painted, is the reason for this claim, or according to Molinier, the author of the book on the history and art of enameling (the enamels made by Byzantium are among the best enamels is considered the world, it is inspired by the art of Iranian enamel) during the Qajar era, works of enamel were made for decoration and luxury in the form of earrings, gold, breast flowers, and the like. But little by little, the prosperity and popularity of this art decreased

Until, in the early days of Reza Shah’s reign, a German named Martin established an institute in Isfahan city, and with the help and effort of talented Iranian artists, making enamel on silver in the form of khatai and slime got a new life. Then the delicate European colors appeared and the enamel artists of Iran worked hard to expand it, vitreous enamel and the art of enamel regained its former prestige and importance and returned to its golden age

vitreous enamel Some of the great masters of Mina Kari

Professor Shokrallah Sanizadeh

Shokrallah Sanizadeh was born in Isfahan in 1285 AH. He was the grandson of Agha Mohammad Kazem Naqashbashi and the granddaughter of Agha Mirza Abdul Hossein Sani Homayun, a famous gilder and pencil case maker in the late Qajar era. He completed his primary education at Qudsiyeh School in Isfahan and learned the basics of gilding and painting under vitreous enamel Mr. Mirza Abdul Hossein Sani Homayun. Then, after some time, he was added to the group of apprentices of Isfahan’s outstanding master of miniature art and calligraphy, Haj Hossein Musarul-Malki. What distinguished Professor Sanizadeh from other professors, in addition to his taste and creativity, was his great faith in the essence of art

According to the little information he had obtained from his grandfather about the art of enameling, he carried out various and detailed experiments and experiments on this art, and in this way he was able to learn from Monsieur Schonman’s experiences and guidance, which came to him indirectly, and also from To benefit from Hassan Khan’s teachings across borders. Making enamel in larger volumes is one of the initiatives of Master Sanizadeh. Because before him, Mina’s constructions were done in small dimensions. During his 70 years of life, Master Shokrullah Sanizadeh left behind various works in blessed places such as the shrine of Hazrat Ali (AS), Imam Hossein (AS) and others like them. The book-making works and the statues of Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Isa, which have decorated domestic and foreign museums, are also among the works of this great master

Some of Sanizadeh’s prominent professors: Professor Gholamhossein Faizollahi, Professor Ghafarian, Professor Hanrdost, Professor Valian, Professor Farshid, Professor Zargarbashi and their own children
Other artistry of Master Sanizadeh was in the fields of gilding, miniatures, flowers and birds, and face painting. Master Sanizadeh, after years of effort and creating beautiful works and training excellent students, died in 1362 and his body was buried in the Iron Throne of Isfahan

Professor Hasan Khan Faramarzi and Professor Monsieur Shunman

Ustad Hasan Khan was born in 1285 in the vicinity of Naqshjahan Square, which is Baghat neighborhood of Isfahan, which today is called Hashtbehesht Street. He was born in an authentic Esfahani family and was born in a prosperous family and benefited from a good education. vitreous enamel He was very intelligent and skilled and highly creative in industrial fields. For this reason, he was attracted to heavy industries and handicrafts. He played an important role in restoring the art of enamel making in Isfahan, to the extent that he revived this art once again in Isfahan
Since I was his consultant, I was able to rebuild the furnace exactly in a room upstairs, this furnace was exactly the same as the one he built, then I watched him from the hole that was surrounded by the furnace and installed in the entrance door. When he was working in this place, I measured and recorded all his movements exactly with his operation time, and finally I learned it from a distance and did exactly what he was doing in my home furnace until I got access to enamel firing

Also, this professor has stated that: “After the Germans left Iran, my father (Hasan Khan) used to burnish the works that were prepared by the painters for Mina. I remember that the late Shokrallah Khan Sanizadeh, Naser Zandi and Mr. Sharifian learned this technique from their late father in our own home and published it in their works. vitreous enamel When he was working in this place, I measured and recorded all his movements exactly with his operation time, and finally I learned it from a distance and did exactly what he was doing in my home furnace until I got access to enamel firing

Also, this professor has stated that: “After the Germans left Iran, my father (Hasan Khan) used to burnish the works that were prepared by the painters for Mina. I remember that the late Shokrallah Khan Sanizadeh, Naser Zandi and Mr. Sharifian learned this technique from their late father in our own home and published it in their works. vitreous enamel When he was working in this place, I measured and recorded all his movements exactly with his operation time, and finally I learned it from a distance and did exactly what he was doing in my home furnace until I got access to enamel firing. Also, this professor has stated that: “After the Germans left Iran, my father (Hasan Khan) used to burnish the works that were prepared by the painters for Mina

 I remember that the late Shokrallah Khan Sanizadeh, Naser Zandi and Mr. Sharifian learned this technique from their late father in our own home and published it in their works. After the Germans left Iran, my father (Hasan Khan) used to paint the works prepared by the painters for Mina. I remember that the late Shokrallah Khan Sanizadeh, Naser Zandi and Mr. Sharifian learned this technique from their late father in our own home and published it in their works. vitreous enamel After the Germans left Iran, my father (Hasan Khan) used to paint the works prepared by the painters for Mina. I remember that the late Shokrallah Khan Sanizadeh, Naser Zandi and Mr. Sharifian learned this technique from their late father in our own home and published it in their works
As a result, we should consider the late Hasan Khan Faramarezi as the reviver of the art and craft of enameling, who has a great right and contribution to this art in Isfahan

Professor Ahmed Raez

Professor Ahmad Raez was born in Isfahan in 1298. He was 12 years old when he joined the service of one of the students of the famous artist Haj Mosvar al-Mulk, and under his supervision, he learned the secrets of painting, gilding, and miniature making. He worked as an apprentice and student in various art workshops for 8 years. vitreous enamel At that time, he established a miniature workshop in Isfahan city. His works were exported to Europe and especially to Germany. Master Ahmad Raez chose the subject of his miniatures from the military khamsa, which is considered one of the most difficult subjects in painting

 One of his very interesting and remarkable works was a miniature tableau in which 145 faces were depicted, and this tableau is currently kept in a Swiss museum. Before it was bought by an Iranian businessman and sent to Switzerland, the said miniature painting reached the attention of the country’s fine arts directorate and received attention. For this reason, Professor Ahmad Raez was invited to Tehran. In the enamel workshop, 10 artists are engaged in various works such as pen-making, net-making, and goldsmithing, and the enamels made by these artists are rare and beautiful in terms of the exquisite elegance and taste used in them

 The works of Minasazi workshop of fine arts of the country have been exhibited in various exhibitions of the world and have received attention and welcome. In 1959, the enamel works of the aforementioned workshop were presented at the Brussels World Exhibition and received a silver medal and an honorary art diploma. vitreous enamel In the Japanese exhibition, these works were welcomed and admired by the viewers. Interesting examples of the works of the country’s fine arts enameling workshop have been given to kings, presidents, and high-ranking foreign dignitaries who have visited our country, and the art of our artists has been and continues to be admired by them

vitreous enamel Types of enameling

Enameling on metal: copper and other types of metals

Enamel on pottery, which is less durable than copper and metal because metals are brittle

Enamel on wood

Types of enamelware

enamel plate

Enamel statue

Enamel vase

Enamel ornaments

Gazkhori and Kandan Minakari

enamel watch

and other enameling products and sets

vitreous enamel Tools and tools for enameling on copper

Aqueous substance of enamel

copy paper

Brush

Hammer

anvil clamp

Mortar

Bow saw and hacksaw

metal scissors

Sodium, carbonate, lime, tin and lead, potassium

Furnace color

All kinds of enamel colors

herbal

Mineral

metallic

Currently, they usually use chemical and metallic colors, but in the past decades, they often used vegetable and mineral colors

vitreous enamel Features of enameling on copper metal

Durability and strength

Having the ability to be laminated

to be malleable

hammering

Its ability to absorb glaze is also more than other metals

Suitable copper for enameling should be 99% and have the highest usual thickness, otherwise, during heating, its impurities will appear as blisters on the surface of the metal. First, to prepare an enamel product, they choose the desired metal, and then the coppersmith makes it in any shape and size he wants. vitreous enamel Then it is the turn of the master enameller who makes it a uniform white glaze. This stage of white glaze is called lining glaze. After this step, the metal that has been glazed is placed in the oven to bake the dish. The maximum temperature of the furnace is 750 degrees Celsius, and after that, the glazed metal is taken out of the furnace, glazed again with a higher quality glaze, and put back in the furnace to heat

Enamel glaze

Industrial metallic enamel glaze (matte and transparent)

Art enamel glaze (matte and transparent)

The first type: industrial metallic enamel glaze has more of a practical aspect and less of an artistic aspect, but the percentage of its combination with artistic enamel glaze is very high. This glaze can be used on various metals, but iron and cast iron are the main metals on which this glaze is used. Second type: vitreous enamel In terms of chemical structure, according to the type of metal used, special compounds and coefficient of expansion are considered to be homogenous with the metal, which is considered to be the most suitable according to all these factors of copper metal. In this method, all kinds of thermal fluxes are used instead of lining glaze

To create a proper connection between the top glaze and the body, the lining glaze is repeated 2 to 3 times on the body. Art glaze, like other glazes, is used in matte, transparent and sometimes semi-transparent forms. Glazing is often repeated 3 to 4 times. After doing these steps, the glazed and heated metal is ready to create patterns with beautiful colors on it. The painted dishes are taken to the furnace again, with the difference that this time they are given a lower heat than the previous times, about 600 degrees Celsius, so that the colors stabilize.. They keep them at home or give them as gifts to others

Tips related to the preparation steps of the enamel container

The duration of placing the copper dishes in the oven depends on the thickness of the copper and the chosen color

The cooking of each color is different. For example, brown, machete, green and pink have more fire base than turquoise color and the fire base of turquoise color is slightly more than lapis lazuli color

If the furnace temperature is less than 700 degrees Celsius, it will cause cracks on the work surface

All kinds of enamel gifts

Minakari has wonderful products as gifts. Gifts that can be your ideal choice on occasions and are very useful as special and affordable promotional gifts. Below we introduce some of Mina’s products that are very common for gifting

enamel plate

Enamel plates are produced in small, large and medium sizes, with or without a frame, with or without a box, with clips (to be installed on the wall), etc. Any of these plates can be your choice for yourself or for giving as a gift. Of course, the design drawn on the plate is also very decisive. vitreous enamel The taste of different people in this matter is different from each other and it is these differences that make life more beautiful. In the following, after introducing a number of enamel products, we will also explain to you about the types of enamel design

Enamel vase

The pot is a widely used and popular product. Whether this vase is enamel or other types of handicrafts. Vases are usually made in pairs, but it is common to buy single vases and use single vases for decoration or as gifts. Enamel vases have different sizes and designs. It starts from the size of 16 cm and is produced up to the size of 30 or 40 cm. This product is sold both without a box and in a box and is given as a gift

vitreous enamel Enamel statue

Maybe we have reached the point. Enamel figurines are a very popular and common option as promotional gifts. Of course, you can give them as a personal gift to your friends and family members. Small plates and vases (usually small and medium in size) are often used in enamel sculptures. vitreous enamel There are many different types of enamel statues, which include

Enamel vase statue

Minakari statue and enamel

Enamel plate statue

Enamel clock statue

The statue of Qalamdan Mina

And …Each of the above types can be beautiful, decorative and functional according to the type of use you want to make of them. Some of the applications of the enamel statue

Appreciation of the winners

As a memorial in ceremonies

Appreciation of team members’ activities

Gift to students

Memorial for employees of a collection

Memorial for athletes, poets, artists

And …Among the enamel products, there are other items such as bowls, plates, gazkhuri, candans, etc., but 3 items, vases, plates, and statues are mostly used as promotional gifts

Enamel plate bowl

This product is a beautiful enamel set that alone can cover a part of your home decoration. This item is usually prepared for family and personal gifts. From very small and fancy sizes to very large sizes that stand out inside the showcase. vitreous enamel Before, when most kitchens were open (nowadays, in the construction of new buildings, they usually remove the open), a large enameled plate bowl or made of other handicraft materials, such as turquoise or copper, was placed on the open. If your house still has an open floor, you can get this option, place it on it and spread a cashmere tablecloth under it and enjoy it

vitreous enamel Minakari Gazkhori

Gezkhoris usually have a base and they are also used as sugars with a base. Gazkhori is especially a hearty gift for the people of Isfahan. Because the people of Isfahan usually have gaz at home and it is considered one of their regular foods and snacks. Gaz is a delicious and lovely souvenir of the city of Isfahan, which most Iranians also like and prepare when they travel to Isfahan

Kandan Mina

Sugar, which is essential in all homes, is considered a suitable option for gifting. Even people who don’t drink tea themselves need sugar to serve their guests. It would be better if your kandan is a beautiful kandan from the heart of enamel art, painted by enamel artists

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