The art of Khatam-Kari is an ancient Persian decorative handicraft. It was used in the decoration of places like Shiraz’s Jameh Mosque of Atigh. Khatam-Kari is the art of decorating the surface of objects in a mosaic style. The use of metals like copper in Khatam-Kari will give the object a certain luster while using triangle shapes made of animal bone such as horse, camel, cow or sheep will ensure its durability. Basically, Khatam-Kari is putting together several tiny triangles. The designs in Khatam-Kari always follow regular geometric patterns shaped by putting together several triangle pieces. Usually, about three to four hundred triangle pieces are used in the creation of a Khatam.
History of Khatam-Kari
The art of Khatam-Kari in its current form dates back to the Ilkhanate empire before the Safavid dynasty came to power. It is believed that the close relationship between Iran and China during the rule of Ilkhanate empire brought this art to Iran. Other researchers believe Khatam-Kari first appeared in Shiraz during the time of Daylamites and reached its peaks during the Safavid dynasty.
How it is done
Khatam-Kari is done in two steps:
- Khatam-Sazi: Khatam-Sazi or creating Khatam is the preparation process for Khatam-Kari including designing the patterns and cutting the khatam pieces (making clay, putting the material together, creating Ghame and cutting them to create the Khatam layers).
- Khatam-Kari: Khatam-Kari starts with preparing the foundation and outlining the design on the object and continues with gluing the khatam layers together and a final polish of the Khatam-Kari.
How is Khatam created
Wood or bones are put together into triangular prisms and are then cut into triangle layers. These triangles are put together in a way to form different regular geometrical shapes. They are glued together on a thin plank using a special glue called Serishom (سریشم). After the glue is hardened the resulting khatam will be installed on the intended object according to the master craftsman’s design to decorate it. Different kinds of wood are used in Khatam-Kari for their color. Different bones are also used because of their durability and white color
Ghame is the prism made by putting together the source material to create the patters and make up the Khatam
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