Textiles, Embroideries & Sofreh
This elegant marriage sofreh showcases a variety of fine textiles and embroideries. It was designed for a private exhibition at the beginning of the hydrangea season in 2024, and appropriately it includes an abundance of this spectacular flower.
This is the overall view of the sofreh. The beauty and shine of crystal sugar is fully exploited. The important symbolic elements of the sofreh-ye aqd are juxtaposed in a discerning fashion. Sculptured pomegranates, as well as bonbonnières (wedding favours), namely miniature papier mâché boxes and pouches made of antique Persian textiles, are presented on large crystal and silver-plated platters.
This is the central part of the sofreh. Apart from an assortment of sensational hydrangeas in white and pastel shades and some foliage, this section displays a striking assemblage of different forms and tones of crystal sugar (nabat), a symbol of sweetness and harmony. Elegantly arranged segments of crystal sugar are presented in a pair of antique silver-plated biscuit boxes. Between the boxes, an antique silver-plated mirror showcases a delicate bowl made of crystal sugar (kaseh nabat), and an array of sticks of crystal sugar (shakheh nabat) in various subtle tones. This central section is illuminated with the flames of several candles.
This splendid selection of sculptured pomegranates, presented on a large crystal and silver-plated tray, is placed on the left side of the sofreh-ye aqd. A selection of whole and opened pomegranates, a symbol of fertility, in ceramic, metal and resin make up this sumptuous presentation, which beautifully stands out next to some antique Persian textiles and embroideries, known as termeh.
This corner of the sofreh-ye aqd is dedicated to presenting a mixture of gold-tinted nuts, a symbol of fertility, in an attractive tiered antique crystal and silver-plated container. The vessel is embellished with fine gold tassels and beautifully stands out next to antique Persian textiles, known as termeh, with elegant metallic borders.
This splendid selection of bonbonnières (wedding favours), namely papier mâché miniature boxes and pouches made of antique Persian textiles, presented on an antique crystal and silver-plated tray, is placed on the opposite side to the tray of sculptured pomegranates. The tray is elegantly lined with a length of antique Persian textile, known as termeh, embroidered with tendrils, a crown and the “lion and sun” emblem, in metallic threads and seed-pearls. The opulent display is placed next to the exquisite central antique Persian embroidered termeh.
This corner of the sofreh-ye aqd is dedicated to presenting a mixture of gold-tinted eggs, a symbol of fertility, in another attractive antique crystal and silver-plated container, which creates a symmetry with the container of nuts placed on the opposite side of the sofreh. The vessel is embellished with fine gold tassels and beautifully stands out next to lengths of fine draped textiles with a paisley design and the antique Persian embroidered textile placed at the heart of the sofreh.
These two delightful antique silver-plated trays are placed near the seat of the bride and groom. The left tray contains the elaborately decorated sugarloaves, which are ground over the heads of the couple to sprinkle them with sweetness. An antique crystal and silver-plated container holds the Persian sugared almonds (noql), another symbol of sweetness and harmony, as well as gilded coins, which are a symbol of prosperity. The right tray contains an antique flask of rosewater to perfume the air, seeds of rue, the burning of which is believed to have evil averting powers, as well as honey, another symbol of sweetness and harmony. A pair of sculptured birds represents the couple and a delicate antique silver vessel holds the wedding rings.
At the heart of the sofreh-ye aqd a length of an intricately embroidered antique Persian textile, known as termeh, is presented. Metallic threads are employed to embroider delicate flowers, leaves, bows, tendrils and a crown framing the Persian script, “mobarak bad”, which translates as “congratulations”. This section showcases a hand-written volume of the Qur’an with a beautiful papier mâché binding and four intricately decorated eggs placed in original egg cups with glass lids. A pair of subtly gold-tinted sheaves of wheat, a symbol of blessing and abundance (barekat), and a single hydrangea are on display. The heart of the sofreh is illuminated with the flames of several tea lights.
