Zari Fabric

" ZARI " ( golden ), is an attributive adjective, which is attributed to ZAR (gold). It means made of gold. Therefore, ZARI is brocade with gold weft". About 1000 B.C. fabrics were woven in the from of two-weft, in East of Iran. In SASANID era (early 7th century), Iranian could weave the fabric with high durability 
and strength by the carefulness in the twisting the silken yarns.

Brocade is named of traditional fabric that all wefts are silver or gold and their warps are silk. Nowadays a large number of these fabrics belonging to the SASANID era (last dynasty of native rulers  to reign in Persia before the Arab conquest in 640 A.C.) exist in royal treasure in Tehran or in famous churches in the Europe and Japan's museums. It is obvious that the king of SASANID donated these precious pieces to the imperial western court. The designs of SASANID are usually combination of hunting ground and birds. In regard of the remaining fabric from this age, we can say that the combination of these fabrics reached to the ultimate point of artistic creativity, harmony, design and color.

The texture of ZARI was welcomed into the age of Safavi Dynasty (late 15th century). Provinces such as Kashan, Yazd, and Isfahan became major centers for creation of this art. The culmination of this art is seen during Safavi era in Iran. The motifs and designs of fabrics, like the design of rugs, were drawn before hand. The difference is that the motifs are repeated throughout the fabrics.

This art flourished in the contemporary era. In the year 1929, with the attempt of Master "Hosein Taherzadeh Behzad Tabrizi", the first workshop of ZARI with attendance of "Habiballah Tarighi" began to work in Tehran. This workshop has continued it's work, and a few remaining artists, produce the unique brocades in limited quantity but high quality.

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085