Tehran – The production of various handicrafts, each reflecting a particular culture and tradition, has made Boljad one of the most important cities in the province of Lorestan.
In addition to traditional nickel silver craft, Borgeld has long been a foster parent of industry and art due to its climate, beautiful nature and urban centre. Other industries and art have come in today, some of which have been forgotten for a variety of reasons, Isna writes.
Varsho Sazi, an art of creating beautiful crafts using nickel silver, is one of the oldest traditions in the province of Lorestan in western Iran.
From ancient times, artists in Lorestan, the town of Borgeld, have made a living by creating a variety of handicrafts, including rugs, jazzims, carpets and precious artworks deeply rooted in the history of the state called Nickel Silvercraft.
Kraft was once one of Bolgiard’s most profitable careers, and compensated for most of the old business in the region, so Bolgiard’s name and crafts were associated with each other.
In addition to using some simple devices and unique physical forces through hammer and bending, Borgeld artists create beautiful works of art in nickel silver sheets, such as dining dishes, samobal, sugar dishes, caddies, rose water sprinklers and more.
There are various explanations about the history of Iranian nickel silver craft. According to one historical account, a small number of Iranian blacksmiths from Isfahan, Boljad, Dezhul and many other cities were sent to Russia to learn the art of making nickel silver crafts.
Meanwhile, according to some historical books, art reached a climax during the Kajar dynasty, as Iranians made nickel silver craft under the Seljuk and Safavid dynasties.
Several historical documents depict many Bolgiard artists while working on nickel silver sheets. They used sheets to make basic items for a normal life. These artists became known as inkwell makers as they were the first artists to make inkwells from nickel silver sheets.
Nickel Silver is a white silver alloy made up of 20% nickel, 35% zinc and 45% copper. It melts and easily turns into shape.
It is imported from Germany and Poland to Iran. Given its brightness and resistance to collapse, nickel silver is also known as German silver.
Varsho Sazi (Nickel Silverware Craft) has been registered as an intangible cultural heritage.
Giveh Embroidery, Hosiery, Carpet Weaving and Jajim Weaving were also other Borgeld handicrafts. Coppersmithing is also another thriving profession for Borujerd, and today the name of the order of Coppersmiths in the city’s Old Bazaar (Rasteh Bazaar) brings the fame of the profession into the heart.
There have been many documents and proverbs about the acceptance of the city’s handicrafts by elders and tourists. The metal industry includes Varsho Sazi (Nickel Silverware Craft), Varsho’s Karamzani (a type of metal work art), Goldsmith, copper smith and knifemaking.
Handicrafts associated with the carpentry (wood) industry include making doors with original and various designs, decorative building ceilings, mosaics, inlays and lattice works.
National City of Varsho (Nickel Silverware Craft)
Medi Gowdalj, head of the Boljad Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Bureau, said, “Of the 292 handicrafts covered by the Cultural Heritage Division of Lorestan, 39 are native to the city. Currently, around 700 artists and craftsmen are active in a variety of handicrafts.
He said: “Currently, 11 handicraft shops and 45 sculpture workshops, 45 sculpture workshops in the Varsho industry and seven workshops in the Varsho Sazi field are active in the city, with three handicrafters in metal, wood and textiles being set up in Borujerd.”
Goudarzi pointed out that in 2019, Borujerd was registered as a national city of Varsho and that several infrastructure was created in the world city of Varsho (Nickel Silverware Craft).
He continued that the file for the possibility of a global registration of Borujerd Varsho has been completed and sent to the province. This file will definitely be sent. Borujerd has the ability to register this art. He added, because the art is unique and concrete to the city. Currently, Varsho House is complete and is equipped with three and nine-story rooms with the aim of hosting production and manufacturing workshops, training and exhibition sections for Varsho products.
For the artisans currently working in the field of Varsho in Borgeld, he concluded that Varsho manufacturing and sculpture of this metal is one of the most prominent handicrafts in the city.
KD