A Brief History of the Glassmaking, Wine, Rose-water and other related Industries of Persia between 1590-1950
Much of what we know about Late Persian glass, wine-making and the other industries that used utilitarian glass containers in Persia between 1590 and today comes from the accounts of travellers who kept and later published records of their journeys. In 1974, Robert Charleston authored a paper on “Glass in Persia in the Safavid Period and Later.” Much of his evidence comes from the accounts of those travellers. I am curious to know whether Charleston’s search was usefully exhaustive in nature, or whether other content remains out there to be found. In an Internet age, perhaps it might be possible to plumb deeper into the records of foreign travellers to Persian lands?
In this section, over the course of the next several years, I will publish whatever content I can find that might shed light on the story of this glassware and how it was used. The content will be divided by century.
It’s nearly impossible to find educated people for this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Dear Sir’
Thank you for such an edifying website and the admirable passion which oozes through your commitment to the task of generating historical, cultural and aesthetic interest in this fascinating subject matter. You are doing a splendid job !
I have been collecting items of ‘Islamic Art’ for quite a few years and happen to have a dark-green, hand-blown ‘saddleflask’ measuring 26cm in height and 19cm in width. I should be grateful if you would kindly confirm whether it can be considered rather rare as it is entirely covered with geometric patterns, floral designs and arabic calligraphy. I have never seen a similar one in decades of browsing for antiques.
With many anticipatory thanks and most cordial regards
Y.
The bottle you sent photos of is definitely original. People have been etching/stippling/painting bottles to make them look “fancier” – more like porcelain containers for hundreds of years. I’ll get the photo of this bottle up somewhere on the site. I’ve wanted to have a page for special bottles…this gives me a wonderful reason to do so!