Termeh
Minakari
March 21, 2017
Khatamkari
March 21, 2017Termeh
Termeh is the name given to a specialty cloth that originated in Yazd. Traditionally, the cloth was hand-woven using natural silk and wool.
Termeh can take the form of fabric, sheets, panels, and other shapes. Good quality traditional Termeh is part of a family’s heirloom in much the same way as are (the related) Kashmiri scarves. They are often an article used in Iranian weddings – such as the sofreh used as a floor spreadsheet. In these types of Termeh, gold and silver threads may be incorporated either into the weave, as part of an embroidered pattern, or as a border.
Various Models
- The fineness and quality of the fiber and thread
- The incorporation of gold and silver dramatically increases the value
- The number of layers that constitute the fabric, the large number increasing the value
- The addition of a border and wider borders
- Lining the fabric. Lining normally adds to the value
- Fine woven designs usually add more value than embroidered design
Termeh Patterns
One of the most common design motifs associated with the Termeh is the boteh (also spelled botteh) motif known in the west as the paisley design. The history of the boteh motif, Termehs (and indeed Persian carpets as well), and the Aryan trade are closely linked.
The design for tablecloths may include a chequered or honeycomb pattern. Other design patterns include stripes, both wide and narrow, the Atabaki pattern, and the Zomorrodi pattern which was predominantly green in color. Image patterns popular with Yazdi Zartoshti women who engage in Zartoshti-doozy (Zoroastrian needle-work / embroidery) include the tree of life, the cypress tree, the juniper tree, clove, four or eight-petal jujube, peacocks, roosters, hens and chicks, hoopoe, fish and geometric shapes such as circles and squares.
