A comparative study of the decorative motifs of Niello art in the Tabriz Armenian metalwork and the Ahwaz Mandaean metalwork

Niello is a decorative art technique on the engraving surface of metal and that usually use to create contrast and look good of engraving motifs on metal surface. Today, Tabriz and Ahvaz cities in the east Azerbaijan and Khuzestan provinces are considered as the main centers of Niello art. Also Most of the Tabriz Armenian and Mandaean tribes in Ahwaz have occupied this Artistic industry. Therefore, the main purpose is to introduce the Niello technique in the Tabriz and Ahwaz and the comparison of decorative motifs among two Native tribes art in the different geography. So the research questions are: 1- What are there the decorative motifs in the Tabriz Armenian and Ahwaz Mandaean Niello art? 2- What are the similarities and differences in the decorative motifs of Tabriz Armenian and Ahwaz Mandaean Niello art? So the library, documentary and field information are analyzed with descriptive-analytical-comparative approach. Results indicate that have been used more than herbal, herbaceous, geometric and abstract decorative motifs in the Tabriz Armenian Niello art and most of the decorative motifs on the Mandaean Niello art are herbal, animal, human motifs which are depicted as scenes from the landscapes, nature and geography of Mandaean life in Ahwaz.