Shar - Silk or Cotton Handloom 

Shar-Bafi is generally referred to as traditional handloom weaving. Due to the prominence of silk in Iran’s weaving history, most traditional flat weaves in Kashan were made using silk, however; cotton looms were no less common. The current traditional silk weaving industry in Kashan has survived mainly due to demand by the Kurdish population in both Iran, Iraq and Syria, where Kashan-made silk cloths are still used as part of traditional Kurdish outfits, wrapped around the head and the waist.

In 2009, the late Master Gholamreza Hasani Jah, known Mirza, was invited to install a silk weaving loom at Manouchehri House, where he began weaving in the same year. Mirza specialized in weaving cotton fabrics, acquiring his art from his father and his grandfather.

He was joined at the workshop by Mr. Hassan Taleh, son of the late Master Ahmad Taleh, who learned silk weaving in his father’s workshop as a child. Despite his age, Ostad Taleh was active both as a master weaver and dyer at Manouchehri House for several years.

Our handloom workshop is currently supervised by Master Reza Yaallah, with apprentices operating a silk handloom, a silk/cotton loom, and a cotton loom.