Aqd @ Wedding Season: Private Exhibition
This elegant, geometric and symmetrical Persian marriage sofreh (sofreh-ye aqd) was designed for a private exhibition during the wedding season of 2023. The symbolic elements of this sofreh are presented in square or rectangular vessels, in particular, a pair of distinctive silver-plated cake stands with square plates.
This is the overall view of the elegant, geometric and symmetrical sofreh-ye aqd, which boasts a pair of spectacular bouquets, made of a variety of graceful foliage and unusual roses, and is softly illuminated with several candles. A fine embossed gold runner and a large tray of handmade bonbonnières in the Persian spirit, flanked by two sheaves of wheat, take centre stage. A pair of Indian silver boxes adds an original touch to the conventional sofreh arrangement.
This image focuses on the heart of the sofreh-ye aqd, which is softly illuminated with candles. Two impressive bouquets are placed on either side of the simple mirror. Miniature spray roses and foliage presented on the base of the mirror are also reflected in it. A pair of distinctive silver-plated cake stands with square plates display quite a few of the symbolic elements of the sofreh.
This is one of a pair of the distinctive silver-plated cake stands included in the sofreh. The outer plate is decorated with gold-painted seeds of rue (esfand) presented in the form of a paisley (boteh), surrounded by natural pods of rue and embellished with dried miniature roses. This design is repeated on the outer plate of the other cake stand in the sofreh. The top plate of this cake stand showcases crystal sugar (nabat), a symbol of sweetness and harmony, as well as gilded coins (sekkeh), a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The inner plate contains a variety of gold-painted eggs, which are a symbol of fertility.
This is the view from above one of the impressive bouquets of a variety of uncommon roses and graceful foliage. This lovely bouquet is subtly illuminated with the flames of three candles. In this image the distinctive silver-plated cake stand that showcases some of the symbolic elements of the sofreh-ye aqd is visible. One of the elements on display is the rue seeds and pods. The fragrant smoke of burning rue seeds is believed to have evil-averting powers, and during the aqd ceremony the tradition of “esfand dud kardan” (burning the seeds of rue) is commonly practiced.
This distinctive silver-plated cake stand showcases a few more of the symbolic elements of the sofreh. The top plate features Persian sugared almonds (noql), a symbol of sweetness and harmony, embellished with a miniature vessel of gilded coins (sekkeh), a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The inner plate contains a mixture of gold-painted nuts, which are another symbol of fertility. Similar to the outer plate of the other cake stand, the outer plate of this one is decorated with gold-painted rue seeds, in the form of a paisley (boteh), and natural pods of rue, embellished with miniature dried roses.
The focus of this image is the other impressive bouquet of a variety of unusual roses in pastel shades and graceful foliage, which is placed on the right side of the mirror, and is softly illuminated with the flames of three candles. The elegantly draped fine ivory silk in the background nicely sets off the impressive bouquet. The new variety of open roses in shades of green, known as Veggie, stands out beautifully.
This is the central section of the sofreh-ye aqd. The emphasis is on an antique tray of handmade bonbonnières in the Persian spirit, made of colourful silks and velvets and tastefully embellished with decorative ribbons, cords and trims. The beauty of this radiant ensemble is set off by the fine embossed gold runner laid down the centre. The tray of bonbonnières, which is flanked by two hand-tied sheaves of wheat with silver ribbons, is dotted with a few miniature sculptured pomegranates, a symbol of fertility. Sheaves of wheat, which symbolize blessing and abundance (barekat), are often included in the Persian marriage sofrehs.
The bouquets of this sofreh-ye aqd were so impressive that they warranted a subtle rearrangement, to put them more in the limelight. These delightful bouquets are made of pale pink Pinky Pie garden roses, new large open roses in shades of green, known as Veggie, and lovely round, pale Darlington spray roses. The beauty of the bouquets is enhanced by some fine and graceful foliage, namely Denmark wax flower, Alchamilla mollis, Eucalyptus nicholii and Viburnum tinus. A delicate miniature arrangement of Darlington spray roses and foliage is placed on the base of the mirror, in which it beautifully reflects. This elegant rearrangement is subtly illuminated with flames.
In order to better exhibit the two silver boxes on the bottom of this sofreh, here they have been placed closer together and displayed against the background of the delightful bouquets of unusual roses and foliage. Both boxes showcase miniature bouquets of pastel Darlington spray roses and foliage. The left box contains a pair of decorated sugarloaves and the right box presents a charming antique bottle of rosewater and a container of honey—all essential elements of the Persian marriage sofreh. A small volume of an antique hand-written Qur’an is elegantly displayed on top of its box and silk pouch.
This is a close-up of the Indian silver box, which is displayed on the left side of the sofreh. The box contains a miniature bouquet of Darlington spray roses and foliage (mainly wax flower and Eucalyptus nicholii) and a pair of sugarloaves (kalleh qand), embellished with gold open mesh, ribbons and fine gold tassels. Traditionally sugarloaves are ground above the heads of the couple during the aqd ceremony to shower them with sweetness.
This is a close-up of the Indian silver box, which is displayed on the right side of the sofreh. This box also contains a miniature bouquet of Darlington spray roses and foliage (mainly wax flower and Eucalyptus nicholii), as well as an elegant antique bottle of rosewater (golab) to perfume the air and a delicate silver container of honey. During the Persian marriage ceremony, the newlyweds exchange a taste of honey, in the hope of a sweet and harmonious married life.
