The art of pyrography means applying dark colors of leather on the desired canvas and installing and gluing them together. At present, there are only a few surviving masters of this art left. In this type of art, sometimes all the common decorations on leather are used. The art of pyrography has existed in Iran since the Safavid dynasty. At that time, this art was used on the cover of the Qur’an and exquisite manuscripts. This art was largely forgotten during the extinction of the Safavid dynasty of the Qajar dynasty.
Pyrography art has been called for two reasons. The first is the use of burnt colors, which, unlike the art of miniature and Iranian painting, are considered opaque colors in the art of pyrography. In fact, this aspect of burning is part of the basics of the art of leather pyrography.
The second is due to the embossing on the leather parts, which is done in two ways: by multiplication or by molten tools. Since, except in special cases, different books have a different copy, it is not possible to make a cover in the style of burning by molten tools and also to create rich works on it, and for this reason, cover makers are more involved in preparing metal stamps. Different volumes were prepared by the multiplication method. The art of leather pyrography requires mastery and skill in several different disciplines, including binding and papermaking, leather making, dyeing, gilding, calligraphy, gilding, poetry, and miniature, each of which requires different experiences.
A pyrography painting is a collection of original Iranian art that is made with a combination of several industries. In fact, this work is cutting a thin layer of sheepskin and applying patterns and images and design on its edges, and finally covering it with gold, binding, embroidering and gilding it. The art is such that miniature painting is formed by pasting pieces of cut leather, and on the four sides, there are lined poems with the same leather and, of course, black and white, which are in the form of letters. The quality of a pyrography depends on the use of original and natural materials in different colors. In addition, the quality of this work of art will depend on the use of pure and processed gold, as well as the use of high quality and tanned leather. Another important point is the beauty and originality of the design used.
