Even though the Safavid ‘Coronation carpet’ failed to sell at Sothebys recently, its story can’t fail to interest you. It was used at the coronation of two British Kings, Edward VII (in 1902) and George V (1911), as well as at the marriage of Princess Mary (1922). Click here to see what I’m talking about The …
The Islamic Sales this week were, as usual, a great chance to see – and even handle – high quality objects. I went to Christies with a friend of mine and we drooled over the only known Mongol carpet (yes, you read that correctly – the only one!). This was not only gorgeous – the …
Flamingoes are returning to Lake Urmia – or so Ettela’at reported via @IranFrontPage this week. It’s usually bad news on the environmental front in Iran, so if it’s really happening, this is wonderful! I already blogged about how Lake Urmia has been turning into a salt waste. And I didn’t altogether believe in the half a …
An exhibition on Qajar beauty is on in Qatar at the moment, including some splendid photos as well as paintings. The Qajar period was a time when ideals of feminine beauty changed greatly. Elsewhere on my website, I’ve shown how Qajar Bakhtiari women (top left image) were thought beautiful if they had a moon face, at least …
Yesterday was sizdeh behdar – the thirteenth day of the new year, and a time to go outside and picnic. It’s when you throw your sabzeh (from your Sofreh Haft Sin) into water, to wash away your negativity. And a time for young women and men to get together – tying knots either into the …
Goncheh Ghavami has been pardoned for the ‘crime’ of standing peacefully outside the Azadi Stadium asking to be allowed to watch Iran’s volleyball team play against Italy. Her protest – along with some other activists – challenged the longstanding ban in the Islamic republic against women attending big sporting events alongside male fans. Although she is …
Two Bills currently going through the Iranian parliament restrict women’s rights to be anything but a baby-maker. The Bill to Increase Fertility Rates and Prevent Population Decline includes a ban on education about contraception; the withdrawal of emergency contraceptives; the prohibition of all voluntary sterilisation and the punishment of health professionals who do such procedures. …
We’re spoilt for choice! At the V&A, there are going to be traditional songs, storytelling, sound art and poetry, along with dance performances. Most exciting of all: “Help make a giant pop-up paper carpet for a Persian picnic, create designs for tiles and find out all about the animals, plants and objects that represent spring.” It’s …
It’s Red Wednesday – Chaharshanbeh Suri – the last Tuesday night / Wednesday morning before the Persian New Year: always time for firecrackers and bonfires. The idea is to keep bonfires lit at sunset burning until the early hours of the morning. Read here about the various regime pronouncements against jumping – the number of …
Today is Purim – the holiday ostensibly commemorating the salvation of Persian Jews, following the intercession of the Queen of Persia, Esther, and her guardian, Mordechai. It’s in the news right now because of Netanyahu’s inflammatory Congress speech drawing parallels between one version of Purim; and current Iranian government policy and the purported threat to …