As I started to visit buildings in Iran, I started to meet Iranian craftsmen – often high up on rudimentary scaffolding. I also started to realise how little is understood about their impressive skills and knowledge.
With many master craftmen (ustads) relatively old, and relatively few young men now wanting to undergo the lengthy, often dirty, and sometimes dangerous training, these unique craft-skills are now in danger of dying out.
The images here therefore try to give a glimpse into some of the crafts and master craftsmen (ustads) of Iran. I’ve included images here of brick-making; some of the many types of ceramic tiles used on Iranian buildings; the fabulous geometrically crafted muqarnas (or stalactite vaulting); stone-carving; as well as wood-carving and wall-painting.