Handicraft as Identity Medium: Filigree Pathology in Isfahan

Filigree as one of the most important branches of metalwork has been constantly an inseparable, original and cultural handicraft medium representing national identity, Iranian- Islamic values, material and spiritual aspects of traditional and artistic features of Isfahan. In spite of a stunning history, filigree's position regarding the range, the level of artist’s activities, marketing, training process, distribution, and the consumption is worrying. Through the viewpoint of sociology of art, with regard to historical recognition, documentation and pathology of this art in Isfahan, the present study aims at the examination of this art while describing its profound relation to Islamic-Iranian identity. Then it has presented a creative plan to revive this branch of art with respect to its techniques and patterns. The following questions are going to be answered here: How could the field of filigree in Isfahan be described, interpreted, and analyzed through ethnography? How is the present position and condition of filigree in Isfahan? What are the development barriers and pathology? How filigree is recoverable with respect to techniques and operation? What advantages does an innovative plan have? The most important objectives in the present study were the ethnographic study of the contemporary filigree in Isfahan (documentation, pathology, and describing the present problems) and presenting innovative plan (in techniques and patterns) to revive the filigree and improving Islamic-Iranian identity. To answer the research questions and fulfill the objectives, the qualitative ethnography method was chosen. Data collection included library study, observation, and semi-structured interviews. The findings on filigree pathology revealed that factors such as insufficient income, consumer's lack of awareness, incorrect method of filigree production, incompetent producers, lack of creativity in production, copying, lack of advertisement, and similar imported goods have played important role in the decline of this art. Moreover, by emphasizing two aspects of creativity and function, as the base of traditional arts, creative ideas aiming at improving and revivng this art (which encompass innovation in technique) were introduced and some samples made by this pattern were presented. In the end, the importance of the production and consumption of filigree as an important work of cultural identity were described to improve the cultural and historical dimension and provoke a sense of nationality.