East Azerbaijan is one of the great handicraft centers of Iran. Several handicrafts like carpet, Glim, Varni, Shawl, Clay dishes, Ceramic, Leather shoemaking are producing in this province. As most featured ones can be named as carpet weaving, wooden arts (Khatam, moarragh …) traditional hand weaving (woolen and silk jajim), traditional printing, glass art, metal art and …
According to major sources, in 3rd century AD, Azerbaijan especially Tabriz was the largest center of carpet weaving, mainly in Seljuq and Ilkhanid kingdom, it was common. Based on miniature painting of Khamse Nezami manufacture, Ghasem Ali’s works, and some other works which shows carpet design and weaving method, it is understood that carpet weaving evoluted in period of Safavid and Timurid dynasty. At that time, figure of animals, prayer rug, floral, bergamot especially Shah Abbas Figure got prevalent. Color variety, using silk improved quality, beauty and elegance of carpets. Still sample of them are exhibited in most museums all over the world.
Carpet weaving art is saved with Azerbaijan carpet weavers and businessmen’s ambition. Nowadays it is popular in major cities and villages; in addition it is significant handcraft of that region.
Carpet production is more important and from exporting point of view it is placed in high level. That is why this industry is prevalent in most rural areas as single weaving and as manufactory form in big cities.
Annually carpets in various design and colors are presented to inner and outer shops.
Varnished
One of the most prominent handcrafts of Azerbaijan nomads is sort of Kilim which has solitary side like carpet has no lint shaped and is formed by passing wool strings around the wrap and twist wrap yarn, called varnished. It is kind of mat as simple and light as Kilim. Also it is as beautiful as kilim. Varnished is woven in different types: woolen, silky and mix of them. Some ties are made of wool and some others are silk. The bowstrings are made of cotton wrap and appropriate uniform. The patter that varnished has inspired is that the design comes from nomad women and girls’ natural habitat. Also regional animal shapes as lion, wolf, bear, dog, and deer are being seen on them.
Kilim
Kilim is a kind of handcrafts which is popular and fashionable in city life as floor -covering made of silk, wool…
In traditional manner wool was colored naturally by means of using specific plants for that reason and sometimes to have an old view Kilim got washed by tae or walnut green shell. It is different from carpet in type of weaving and size. Unlike carpet, kilim has no sketch design. It is made of sense term. Seldom ever is it found in size of 3*4 and bigger.
Textile production
Hand weaving textiles specially brocade and silk are popular from past times, in Iran and east Azerbaijan. As matter of fact safavid period got well-known as Golden Age of Prosperity. At that time silk, golden and velvet clothes produced sample of which are being kept in Astan Ghods e Razavi museum and Esfehan museum.
Silver work
Silver-work is a well-liked in Tabriz from years ago. Since 20 years ago there were about 25 active silver manufactories with 100 silver workers. This unique art is going to perish because of owners approached to another vocation.
Clay and Ceramic
Ceramic productions are made in some workshops in Tabriz and Zonuz. Zonuz ceramic craftsmen use particular kind of soil. Like zonuz, ceramic industry in Shabestar has a long period experience and productions are distributed to all over the country. Recently pottery workshop classes are hold in caltural heritage traditional art center in east Azerbaijan.
Needlework
This art has been common in Mameghan, located in 50 km destination of west of Tabriz. In recent years, according to less income, artists got out of interest. But it got prosperous with cultural art organization. Except that rayon was replaced by silk.
Basket weaving
What is widespread among people in Tabriz is taking basket for shopping. So it caused this art get well-liked. For weaving basket flexible branches of sour cherry, willow …. In Maraghe and surrounding villages, very delicate baskets are woven. In some other cities like Marand, Bahram wheat stems are being used.
Traditional printing
Batik is a cloth that is traditionally made using a manual wax- resist dying technique, which was in used in Indonesia, Thailand, and India. In Iran it is familiar in Tabriz and Osku by name of Kolagh that is already popular.
In this manner, Wax-resist dying in fabric, as an ancient art form in which linen was soaked in wax and scratched using a sharp tool to transfer all designs and colors on silk cloths. An especial feature is creation of line streaks and color breaks as result of fractures on cloths.
Traditional painting
Iranian traditional paintings are like a small world of ever green flowers with refreshing breeze and dignity humans attract each visitor to Hilarity and amusement. Since past time, Tabriz has been house of artists and painters like Bezad. In 928 AH, Behzad and some other artists immigrated to Tabriz and it got result of creation painting school and revolution in this manner in Tabriz. School in Tabriz used mostly natural shapes as clefts, trees and sky. The size of them was a bit larger instead number was decreased. The organs were in introverted state.
Wood carving
Wood carving as an art and crafts in which figures featured in protuberant shape and is mostly done on wood.
Leather production
Tabriz leather and handmade shoes has a good reputation due to best stitches and delicate shape.
