MINAKARI GIFT SET
Discover the exquisite Minakari Gift Set, meticulously handcrafted to perfection, making it an ideal present for your cherished ones. Inspired by the mesmerizing world of Persian art. Minakari or Meenakari (Persian: میناکاری), the revered art of enamel working and embellishing copper with vibrant and baked coatings, stands as a hallmark of artistry in Persian Heritage.
Embrace the rich cultural heritage of Persia and surprise your loved ones with this exceptional gift set. The Minakari Gift Set embodies the timeless beauty of Persian art and serves as a testament to the artisans’ dedication and craftsmanship. Elevate any space with these captivating pieces, adding a touch of artistry and sophistication to your surroundings.
About the artwork:
The artwork you are purchasing is called Minakari or Meenakari (Persian: میناکاری), and it has a rich history of around 5000 years. In the ancient Persian language, Mina means blue, and this blue colour symbolizes the sky of heaven. While blue remains the traditional colour in this art, contemporary Mina handcrafts now come in a variety of colours, such as green, grey, and pink.
Mina indeed is the art of painting and colouring on the surface of metal objects. In most cases, artists prepare the paint for this artwork using metal oxide powders. They mix the metal powder with special oils and solvents to form a creamy paint. Then, they use the cream to paint the object. Different metal oxide also produces different colours.
In addition to preparing the paint cream, artisans create the desired objects, mostly made of copper, by hammering and forming. These objects come in various shapes, including vases, plates, and containers.
After forming the objects, artisans clean them thoroughly before covering them with a white enamel coating. The cleanliness of the surface is critical at this stage. Even minor dirt, hand oil, or moisture could cause a crack in the final product.
The minakari vase and minakari tray is then baked in the furnace at around 700 °C in several stages.
After baking and cooling the object, artisans transfer the uniquely designed pattern of each item to its surface. They usually start by drawing on paper and punching small holes near each other along the lines.
Then, they use graphite powder to mark the metal surface through the tiny paper holes. Finally, they carefully and artistically paint the white-coated copper object with the marked lines.
This stage is one of the most important parts of the artwork and captures the true spirit of Mina. The artist spends a lot of time perfecting the details, striving to make the piece unique, modern, and beautiful.
The final object (minakari vase and minakari tray) again needs to be baked in the furnace to stabilize the colour at around 800°. As a result of using metal-based paints and baking procedures, the Mina colour is stable, washable, and anti-scratch.
