According to Press TV, at bazaars and workshops, master craftsmen continue to pass on their expertise for generations, maintaining their Persian heritage and livelihood.
Isfahan has long been considered the craft capital of Iran. In this state, handicrafts are more than cultural heritage and souvenirs. They are a thriving industry of 1 billion rials that maintain tens of thousands of jobs, artisans, fuel exports and fuel exports each year, attracting millions of tourists each year.
The capital during the Safavid era is often referred to as “the crown jewel of the Iranian handicraft industry,” and craftsmen work to maintain the skills passed down for generations.
Isfahan artisans have preserved centuries-old crafts, from complex metal enamelization (minakari), inlaid woodworking (katamkari), metal carving (karamzani), mirror mosaic (aenekari), turkoze inlay (firozekuobi), culet weave, curryve weave and college weave. (Sermeh), and block print textiles (Qalamkari).
60% of all Iran’s handicrafts live
According to the Isfahan Association, the province produces almost 60% of all Iranian handicrafts, with 200 registered of the approximately 200 people whose nearly 300 registered craft disciplines are practiced locally.
Over 70,000 artisans are active throughout the state, working for around 9,000 workshops and businesses, many of which gather around Naqsh-e Jahan Square.
The amount of exports indicates economic potential. According to the state tourism department, in the Iranian calendar year, which ended in March 2024, exports of Isfahan handicrafts exceeded $15 million, almost doubled.
In the first nine months of the previous Iranian calendar year (March 21 to December 20, 2024), exports reached $7.6 million, as reported by IRNA News Agency.
Tourism is also a major engine for the growth of the craft industry.
Mehdi Jamalinejad, governor of Isfahan, revealed that in May this year, around 1.6 million tourists have chosen to stay in the province during Nowruz Holidays, which marks the Iranian New Year, which begins on March 21.
At the time, 600 handicrafts generated sales of around 250 billion rials (approximately $250,000), and authorities estimated that the possibility could rise to 2.5 trillion rials ($2.5 million).
Isfahan as a major tourist attraction
The state is considered one of the main attractions of foreign tourists and is home to many World Heritage sites, so global recognition also strengthens Isfahan’s status.
In 2015, World Craft Council was named Isfahan A World Craft City and became the first Iranian city to receive such recognition.
In 2023, UNESCO designated Isfahan as a creative city for crafts and folk arts, for its role in maintaining and promoting traditional craftsmanship.
Isfahan’s Qalamkari art (textile printing technology using hand-carved wooden stamps) was awarded global status in 2023 by the World Handicraft Association.
Known for its oriental and Iranian motifs, the colourmekari often features floral patterns, arabesques, geometric designs, hunting scenes and Persian calligraphy. Its delicate ornaments are closely linked to other Iranian art, such as carpet weaving and mosque tilework, reflecting the image of Persian gardens.
Cotton, traditionally printed on cotton, silk, canvas, or fustian remains the preferred fabric due to its high absorption.
The exact origin of Kalamkari remains uncertain, but art historian Arthur Pope has reverted his presence in Iran to the Ghaznavid era.
Isfahan’s worldwide recognised crafts
Karankari was the second craft of Isfahan, which was globally registered, after Minakari. This is a natural motif such as flowers and birds on the metal surface, usually copper.
In 2024, the city added another achievement when the seven-color tile technique was internationally recognized for its cultural and historical importance.
This technology is particularly prominent in the Safavid era and remains a critical feature of Isfahan architecture. Masterpieces like the Imam Mosque and the Sheikrotophora Mosque of Naqsh-e Jahan Square still show the glow of these multicolored tiles.
Experts say these honors go beyond symbolism. They will help attract tourists, expand international markets and maintain a livelihood while protecting centuries-old skills.
For Iran’s wider economy, handicrafts offer an alternative to oil. They need limited infrastructure, create jobs across gender and age groups, and contribute to cultural diplomacy.
According to reports, handicrafts have become one of the country’s most powerful non-oil exports, providing for many artisans a stable income related to skills passed down through generations.
From enamel and inlaid woodwork to carpet and metal sculptures, Isfahan’s workshops show how traditional crafts can provide modern prosperity.
By combining heritage with global markets, urban artisans live on the centuries-old skill set that continues to advance Iran’s economy.
Source: Press TV