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Isfahan Heritage, Mina Kari
Vitreous enamel or Mina Kari is a Persian art that has been forge out of fire and dirt, history of it goes back to about 1500 BC, and is used to adorn the ornamentation of the various instruments and dishes.
Metals such as gold, silver, and copper were made by certain glazed colors baked in hot heat.
Mina Kari is an art which has a history of over 5,000 years. According to experts and with the adaptation of Byzantine influences and Iranian works, this art has emerged in Iran and then has spread to other lands. Other works found in Europe have a long history, for example, six gold rings dating back to 13 BC in Cyprus, and the famous statue of the Greek Zeus is designed by this art, but it is still believed that Persia have been the source of this art.
What is Minakari?
based on the studies, this art was first forged in Iran and then it has been spread to different parts of the world. Mina is transparent and comes from the combination of the oxides of metals and a few different salts. Mina must be exposed to high heat (750 to 850 C)in order to form colors based on duration and temperature. Nowadays it has been done mostly on copper, but gold and silver are also good options to implement the art. Gold is the only metal that is not oxidized by melting of Mina, which makes it possible to implement a detailed design with the decoration. This is not the case with copper and silver.
Isfahan is regarded as the focus of the Iranian enamel or Mina, which also has a specific reputation on the global level. There are outstanding professors in this city, creating rare works. In summary, the Minakari should make the desired surface in shape and form, followed by a white glaze over it. Glaze is carried out three to four times, and at each time the object is heated up to 700 degrees in a furnace to prove their color. After this, the color is to be colored, and then the object is again flared up, exposed to heat around 400 to 500 degrees to prove colors.
They create different works, the most common of them are plates, vases, bowls, picture frame and… in which there had been assorted with other arts, such as gilded, inlaid, miniature, and jewelry.
Arthur Upham Pope says:
Minakari is a bright art of fire and soil, with its hot and glowing colors dating to 1500 BC, and its appearance on the metal during the 6th century BC and after 500 BC. Mina art of Iran has been more professional than other parts . One of the old examples of the safavid was mentioned by the french explorer ,Jean Chardin which is an image of birds and animals on flower and a pale blue and yellow and green color.
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