لوگو موزه تاریخ تجارت جندی شاپور

History of jewelry in Iran

Types of ornaments :

Famous types of ornaments during the Achaemenides era are as follows:

  • Bracelets
  • Necklaces
  • Earrings

       1- Bracelets:

 Bracelets that were common during the rule of the Achaemenides were made in a way that there was the head of an animal at one end of the bracelet. The image carved on these bracelets was the image of two lions eating two rams. Another common image was two birds of prey inlaid with gems. The bracelet was so popular during the Achaemenides era. One of the new features of bracelets during this period was the extensive use of ornate jewelries. The best example of these artefacts are those of the Oxus Treasure that have been influenced by the Egyptian art and they have been in the form of the heads and busts of two griffins.

        2-Necklaces:

The most invaluable example of necklaces of the Achaemenides era is the one found in the coffins buried in Susa that belong to the Oxus Treasure. This necklace is made of gold inlaid with gems and an image of a bird of prey and Ahura Mazda has been placed on it. There is another necklace of the Achaemenides era that is preserved in the National Museum of Iran with engraved lions hanging on a string of gold beads.

        3-Earrings:

The most noticeable feature of earrings of the Achaemenides era is the circular loop. The loop does not form a complete circle. There is an opening in the earrings with clamps to the left of the earrings and a connected post to fix them on the ears. These earrings have been seen on the ears of people wearing Parthian and Median clothes. These earrings composed one part of the gifts

The Safavid era

Iranian mines and their operation during the Safavid era:

With its enormous mines and minerals, Iran is one of the richest countries in terms of subterranean resources. Prior to the Safavid era, few gems and other minerals were extracted and used. At that time, there were two main gems in Iran namely those existed in Iran such as the turquoise and pearl and gems that were brought to Iran by Iranian and foreign merchants.

The turquoise was one of the most important precious gem in Iran. The city of Neyshabur with its mountain known an Firoozeh-kooh (turquoise mount in Persian) has been the hub of this gem in Iran. Another common gem in Iran was the pearl. It was extracted galore through fishing and diving in Persian Gulf particularly around Bahrain whose pearls weighed a lot.

In addition to minerals, some gems mainly emerald and ruby were imported to Iran from its main extraction hubs such as Egypt, India, and Byrmany (old name of modern Myanmar).

Jewelry and gem cutting

During the Safavid era, artisans and craftsmen applied great delicacy for making gold threads. In his travelogues, Jean Chardin described Iranians as those with mediocre skills in engraving and with no information about enameling. According to him, jewelers of Tabriz could make nothing but ill-shaped rings.

Abbas II, a Safavid king, was greatly infatuated with European commodities. When European artisans and craftsmen entered Iran during his reign, new artistic works emerged as the result of Iranian art and interest with European styles. Gems were over that period but were not comparable to Europeans at all.

Royal reservoirs

During the Safavid era some castles such as Qahqaheh Castle and Tabarak Castle were used for storing jewelries.  Some of the most important jewelries in these reservoirs include the Qezelbash Crown of the king, daggers and swords, Safavid crown, Iranian sword and the dagger inlaid with the gold.

Various types of works inlaid with jewelries:

Different types of artistic works inlaid with gems and jewelries were uses during the Safavid era. Some of the most common ones were as follows:

  • saddles and harnessed of animals
  • Iranian ornaments during the Safavid era
  • Ornaments used by men such as sword inlaid with gold, saddles and harnesses inlaid with gems, coats inlaid with jewelry and rings
  • Ornaments used by royal women and concubines
  • Furniture and utensils of royal palaces

Sources of royal jewelry

A portion of the jewelry at the Safavid reservoirs were purchased from the famous jewelry markets of Europe, India and Ottoman territories by the agents of the Safavid dynasty. Some of these items were sold to kings by the foreign merchants. However, a great portion of the jewelry was awarded to the king as a gift by his rulers and officers when he travelled to various regions.