Toreutics

Toreutics is one of the most attractive arts and crafts in Iran.
It is an artistic metalworking that includes of hammering gold or silver (or other materials), engraving, or forming minute detailed reliefs or small patterns or decorating exquisite pictures and patterns on the main surface of the metal objects made of gold, silver, copper, brass and steel.
The artists coat the inner or below part of the metal dish with tar and plaster solution to reduce the sounds of hammers or burins.
Copper is the most popular metal which is used in this type of artistic metalworking because of its softness and flexibility.

There are three styles of toreutics in Iran:
The Shiraz Style, the Tabriz Style and the Isfahan Style.

In the Shiraz style, artists use the images of Persepolis, flowers and birds on silver objects.

In the Tabriz Style, they use motion and pressure of the wrist for engraving and Tabriz burins are flat and shallow.

In the Isfahan Style they use hammering and Isfahan burins are deeper than Tabriz burins.

Silversmithing is one of the branches of toreutics and metalworking and it is one the handicrafts and souvenirs of Shiraz.
There are all kinds of vases, cups, and dishes and silverware in Shiraz bazaar which attracts tourist’s attention more than anything else.