TEHRAN -- A total of 127 exquisite jades from the Qajar era have been taken out from the Golestan Palace treasury to be exhibited.
According to ISNA, the exhibition titled “India in Golestan” is a collection of objects by Indian craftsmen, open to public from Monday at Golestan Palace.
The opening was attended Vice President of Cultural Heritage Ali Darabi and Indian Ambassador Rudra Gaurav Shresth.
Afarin Emami, director of the World Heritage Collection of Golestan Palace, spoke about the importance of the collection at the opening of the exhibition, which was accompanied by music and serving of Indian food and sweets.
“Jade is one of the most important commercial goods traded through the Silk Road. And based on the conducted research, most of the exquisite objects of the world heritage of Golestan Palace belong to Indian artists and indicate the cultural and political relations between Iran and India during the Qajar period.
Masoud Seyed Bonakdar, the researcher of the collection, also said jade is one of the most important jewels in the history of Iran, which is mentioned in various texts, including Beyhaqi’s History.
He said 100 exhibited pieces of jade have been collected from different treasuries of Golestan Palace, and their historical background and use identified through documents held at Golestan Complex.
The Indian ambassador said there are many Persian manuscripts in India, adding the first Persian newspaper was printed in Bengal.
The Indian government places great emphasis on teaching and preserving the Persian language, and Persian is one of the nine languages taught in Indian schools, he said.
The exhibition displays jade vessels, such as an inlaid case, an inlaid jade milk and sugar pitcher, a square jade salt shaker inlaid with a Salmani spoon, a Safavid jade frame and cup, and an inlaid penner along with their documents, which will be open to public at the Chadorkhane Mansion for two months.