Minakari Plate 16cm

MINAKARI PLATE 16CM

Minakari plate beautifully handmade, which makes a great wall decor, inspired by Persian art.  MinaKari is the art of Enamel working and decorating Copper with colourful and baked coats is one of the distinguished courses of art in Isfahan.

Item description:

Artwork: Mina

Production: Handmade

Object: Mina plate

Plates Dia. 16 cm

Origin: Persian

Plate material: Copper

Coating: Enameled coating and metal oxide painting

Please note No two handmade items are exactly alike.

About the artwork:

The artwork you are purchasing is called Mina with a rich old history of around 5000 years. Mina means blue in ancient Persian language and the blue colour in this artwork is a symbol of heaven’s sky. Although blue is the traditional colour in this art however, the contemporary Mina handcrafts could be found in a variety of colours these days such as green, grey, pink and etc.

Mina indeed is the art of painting and colouring on the surface of metal objects. The paint used in this artwork in most cases is prepared by metal oxide powders.  Such metal powder, however, is mixed with special oils and solvents to form a creamy paint. The cream is then used to paint the object. Different metal oxide also produces a different colour.

Besides the preparation of paint cream, the desired objects which are mainly made of copper are created by hammering and forming. These objects have a long list of shapes including vases, plates, containers and etc. After forming the objects they should be cleaned thoroughly prior to being covered with white enamel coating. The cleanness of the surface is very important at this stage since very minor dirt or even hand oil or moisture could cause a crack in the final product. The enamelled object then is baked in the furnace at around 700° in a few stages.

Once the object is baked and cooled down, the already unique designed pattern of each item is transferred to the object’s surface.  This is usually done by drawing on the paper first and punching small holes near to each other on the lines drawn on the paper. Graphite powder is usually used to mark on the metal surface through paper tiny holes. The white-coated copper object with marked lines then is painted carefully and artistically by hand. This stage is almost the most important part of the artwork and indeed the spirit of the Mina. The artist spends lots of time to handle the details of the painting trying to make it unique, modern and beautiful.

The final object is again needed to be baked in the furnace for stabilizing the colour at around 800°. As a result of using metal-based paints and baking procedure, the Mina colour is stable, washable and anti-scratch.

Persian Minakari Plates

Persian Minakari plates, a quintessential representation of Persian artistry, stand as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Iran, particularly Isfahan. These plates, more than mere objects, are embodiments of centuries-old traditions and artistic expressions. Crafted with meticulous care, each Minakari plate is a unique masterpiece, showcasing a blend of beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural significance.

Size Variations

The Minakari plates come in an array of sizes, ranging from 16 to 40 cm in diameter, catering to various aesthetic and functional needs. Whether it’s a small plate to accentuate a cozy corner or a large one to dominate a room’s decor, these plates offer versatility in their application. Some are even crafted in sets of three, of varying sizes, for a cohesive wall-mounted display.

Contact Us for Custom Orders

For those looking to own a piece of this timeless art, we offer custom order services. Whether it’s a specific size, design, or style, our collaboration with skilled artisans in Isfahan allows us to meet your unique requirements, bringing a personalized touch of Persian heritage into your space.