Abstract:
The author of this article, using field methods and direct observation with an ethnographic perspective, has studied stone carving in Mashhad and related occupations such as sculpture, engraving, chasing, and its position in relation to various dimensions of social life. The history of stone carving, manufacturing stages, motifs and tools of stone carving, types of stone objects, pricing, masters, and the sales market are among the most important topics addressed in this writing. The findings of this article show how this profession functioned, its history, and how people of the past utilized it; furthermore, the value of this art in the fields of economy, buying, selling, industry, trade, and its transformation over time up to this period has not diminished. The art and industry of stone carving and its related occupations, in addition to their material value, gain special value and status due to the cultural weight they carry through connection with various dimensions of human social life. By studying these aspects, one can understand how people in every era engaged in this craft and art, with what beliefs and interests, and how influential they were in it.
Machine summary:
The history of stone carving, manufacturing stages, motifs and tools of stone carving, types of stone objects, pricing, masters, and the sales market are among the most important topics addressed in this writing.
Each of the masters in these occupations was busy with their own work and did not interfere in the work of others, and perhaps few people could be found who would perform all the stages of stone carving, stonemasonry, engraving, and chasing themselves.
Of course, there were also those who performed all the tasks and offered their art; for example, they made vessels from stone such as samovars or lamps that only required carving and had no motifs or patterns for decoration.
Among them is Mohammad Khadem [1970s] who worked in the stone carvers' market, precisely bringing various motifs to the object, and trained many apprentices in the field of pattern design.
Master Ehsasat is about forty-five years old [the 1970s] and works in a small workshop in the stone market, which also serves as a place of sale.
He started his work by making herkara vessels in this very market and is now a master stone carver; he works with an electric machine and has lost one of his fingers in one of his carving jobs.
196 Workplace and Sales In Mashhad, there are 25 to 26 [in the 1970s] master stone carvers and engravers who, along with their apprentices, produce all the stone crafts of this city and bring them to market.
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