The Impact of Khorasan School's Metalwork on Safavid Metalwork

During Safavid period, due to the rich artistic record and influence of some factors such as appearance of Shiite tendencies and support of Safavid kings (like Shah Abbas), Persian artists could create unique metal masterpieces in Khorasan and Tabriz Schools. The aim of this research is to study how much Safavid metal works were influenced by Khorasan School’s metalwork. To reach this aim, library information was gathered and comparative method was applied. This research, first, describes metalwork features such as quality, making techniques and common decorative techniques of Safavid and Khorasan Schools and then some metalwork pictures are compared with regard to kind of design and technique of performance in order to identify decorative methods and common design elements. The results show that a large part of foundations, principles, techniques and designs used in Safavid period were taken from Khorasan School of metalwork and the artists of such period used them with regard to their contemporary culture. Also it was revealed that, in Safavid metal works, the designs which were amongst Persian symbols and were used in the background of other designs in Khorasan School are considered as principal designs and perhaps they were used by artists for suggesting particular meanings.