PERSIAN MIRROR-WORK
Qavam Historical House in Shiraz
Iranian Mirrorwork (known as A`ina Ka`ri) is a type of interior decorating in which artisans combine precisely cut mirrors into geometric, calligraphic, or foliage shapes influenced by flowers and other plants. This results in a stunningly shiny surface with elaborate abstract patterns or shimmering reflections. Aside from its beautiful purposes, this art may be employed as a sturdy and lasting cover for an internal area of a structure. This sort of mosaic art is popular in Iran and Pakistan, and may also be seen in Mughal-era structures in India.
Mosque Ceiling in Yazd
During the Zand and Qajar periods, this technique was used on doors, window frames, walls, ceilings, and columns of pavilions, private dwellings, tea-houses, zūrḵhānas (Persian ancient workout space), royal structures, and shrines. The funerary complex of Shah Cheragh in Shiraz, Iran, makes considerable use of Āina-kāri mirrorwork. It also serves as an exterior architectural facade in semi-domed porch that mark the hall entry, courtyards, gardens, and reflecting pools.
Shah Cheragh Funerary in Shiraz
Venetian glassmakers, invited to Iran by Shah ʿAbbās I in the 17th century, are said to have contributed to the craft.This art style may have also arisen from the creative reuse of shattered shards of imported mirrors, similar to kintsugi, and inspired by Sufi philosophy on the meaning of broken things and reflected light. By the nineteenth century, rich Isfahan residences had a “mirror room” as a greeting area, which blended mirror work with carved stucco and the display of artist's prints.
