Minakari is the art of painting unique motifs with amazing colors on pottery and metal objects. As the first step, you should know that the words Mina and Meena are different forms of the name of one art. So, Mina kari and Meena kari are used interchangeably in this article, and wherever you see one of these words, consider them all the same. Nonetheless, make sure to place crafts like Resin with Mina glaze art. In the following, you will briefly review the art of Minakari painting enamel with its details, including an introduction, its history, different types, techniques, motifs, and colors, and finally, the most famous Meenakari painting masters.
Minakari painting, also known as Meenakari art, is a traditional Persian art form that masterfully decorates pottery, glass, or metal surfaces, primarily copper, with vibrant colors and traditional designs. This ancient art form is characterized by its meticulous hand-painting technique and the use of vivid enamel colors to create stunning patterns and Meenakari motifs.
The art of Meenakari painting has a rich history, dating back to the Sasanid era in ancient Persia. During the Mughal Empire's persecution, some Iranians had to run to India; the Persian immigrants brought Minakari painting art to India, where it was further refined and popularized. Over the centuries, Meenakari has evolved into a highly esteemed art form, reflecting Iran and India's cultural and artistic heritage.
Minakari paintings have various styles and motifs, the most important and popular of which are Mina Naghashi, Barjast-e Mina, and Khaneh Bandi. These Mina kari paintings are properly applied to various goods, such as jewelry, serving dishes, pendants, home interior design items, ceramic tiles, desk ornaments, glassware, etc.
Creating Minakari paintings involves several sophisticated techniques, including hand-painting, coloring the metal or clay base object's surfaces with Persian enamel paints, and firing them in a kiln at 700-800 Celsius to solidify the colors. Skilled artisans carefully apply layers of enameling colors to achieve the desired level of detail and brilliance, followed by polishing to enhance the luster of the finished piece, Minakari handicraft.
As Mina may be the other version of the word Minoo, the Persian name for paradise, Meenakari painting motifs suggest heaven's beauty, as mentioned in ancient Persia's fairy tales or religious ceremonies. Minakari painting enamels feature many motifs, each with symbolic significance and aesthetic appeal. Common motifs include Persian Miniature Painting, arabesque patterns, khataee motifs, bird and flower motifs, and intricate Eslimi geometric patterns, all reflecting the rich ethnographic history of Persia.
The colors used in Iranian Minakari paintings are vibrant and bold, ranging from deep blues and rich greens to fiery reds and golden yellows. The most frequently used colors in Iran's Mina Kari art are Persian colors, the most prominent of which is Persian blue.
These vivid colors are achieved through specialized Minakari enamel paints, which are meticulously applied and fired to create a durable and lustrous finish.
Here is an attractive blog post about Persian Colors in details. You can read "Persian Color" on our magazine if you are interested.
Here is the mixture and fusing of paints for achieving Iranian meenakari painting colors:
Blue: Zinc Oxide, Flint, and Cobalt oxide
Green: Lead chromate, Copper Shavings, and Flint
Yellow: Iron Filings, Tin Oxide, Chromium Oxide, and Lead
Purple: Gold Solution, Ammonium Chloride
Brown: Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxide, and Green Chrome
Black: Manganese Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Cobalt, and Lead
White: Enamel artists typically avoid using white in the Persian Mina Kari. Instead, they use the color of the base material or draw white lines.
Throughout history, numerous Persian master artisans have excelled in Minakari painting, leaving a legacy of exquisite craftsmanship and artistic innovation with their Meenakari art creations. The most famous Minakari masters are Gholamhossein Faizollahi, Hossein Hanrdoost, Ebrahim Zarkounim, Mohammad Ali Farshid, Mehdi Ghaffarian, Shukrallah Sanizadeh, and Nematullahi brothers. Do you want to have one of these artisans' masterpieces in your home? Click on the following picture to buy one at the fairest price.
Minakari painting is a highly valued Persian art form known for its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and meticulous craftsmanship. It has influenced decorative arts and jewelry-making worldwide and is considered a cultural treasure. CyrusCrafts, the International online antique store, offers Persian art and crafts to the whole world. You'll be able to see all our products and order each you like by filling out the order form. We will deliver your orders worldwide, including shipping and cargo.
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Minakari is a branch of Persian handicrafts that includes different types according to materials, painting techniques, and usages. Knowing the various kinds of Meenakari is helpful when choosing and buying one.
Decorative accessories like vases, art pieces, cushions, and throw blankets are the finishing touches that bring your home decoration to life. Using decorative items effectively in the correct configuration can enhance your home interior design.
Isfahan, Iran, is recognized worldwide as a hub of Minakari crafts. On the other hand, India is the most famous country for the art of Meenakari and exporting brass enamel and enameled jewelry worldwide. But how can you tell Iranian and Indian enamel apart?
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