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By Shahana Naqvi, Edited By Adam Rizvi, The India Observer:

“And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and  Earth , the difference of your languages and Colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge. “Surah Al-Rum (verse 22)

The Noble Quran addresses to the diversity of human race, to various colours, shades in rocks, plants, flowers, crops, fruits and animals .

It also refers to the outer and inner traits of mankind. The colours of the Noble Quran carry symbolic, aesthetic and moral objective.

Colours are a source of happiness and optimism.

Colour is a power which directly influences the soul ,generating positivity and hope.

Ghavarehbori

Introduction

Ghavareh bori is an unknown art that was used to decorate doors and windows of houses in Safavid and Qajar era.

It is similar to the Persian art of Gireh Chini due to use of Islamic design and pattern. Sometimes this art is also called  Gireh Chini.

The important difference between Ghavareh bori and Gireh chini is that Ghavareh bori has curved layout  once or twice while Gireh is geometric in form.Ghavareh-bori is simple compared to complex geometric patterns of Gireh chini.

Orosi

Orosi: Sash doors/windows

Word

The word Oroos means bride in Urdu language and Oroosi means bride-like.

Well Oroosi in Iran is a traditional architectural (door/window) element. This window is decorated just like a bride,filled with tiny glass pieces in happy and eye candy colours.

The Orosi windows demonstrates the Refined Persian Arts in it’s purest form. The windows are built with the choicest wood and decorated with finest, most beautiful glass in various different forms and patterns, making them a Vision to Behold.

Persian architects describe it as a window that ,”usually covers whole of the wall and is from roof to floor, and it’s opening is in vertical axis”.

Orosi as a component is well co-ordinated with the whole geometry of the house.

Origin

Orosi windows can be traced back to the 12th century. The Safavid made elaborate use of Orosi windows in the decoration of their palaces and Qajar period witnessed some of the most sophisticated craftsman ship and ornamentation of Orosi work.

 Sash windows/doors

Sash making of wooden doors / window lattice is a sliding door that is raised vertically up and down and thus the arm is closed.

The upper part located under the roof is decorated with pieces of coloured glass.

Design

These doors and windows are basically Rectangular in shape and the upper part is in the shape of rectangular crescent, which is decorated with coloured glass, to adjust the exposure and soften the light for houses in tropical areas.

Uses

Orosi windows /doors are used in places where you don’t need to open the door much because it disturbs the space.

No nail or glue is used in this type of art and all the images and figures are obtained by connecting small wooden joints and glass pieces.

An Orosi Door/Window offer suitable internal temperature,shade controlled natural light, heat insulation and natural ventilation.

This type of door or window was widely used in tropical areas which were exposed to the harsh sun.

It was intended to regulate and mitigate sunlight thereby cooling the interiors, and protecting the delicate and precious rugs from insects and the Sun.

 Colours of Orosi

Apart from the various health benefits they offer, Orosi windows are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Though Orosi work has four or five colour limitations and somehow designs do not require any more colours.

But colours such as red, yellow, green, blue, violet, purple have also been used.

Examples

Some wonderful examples of this exquisite art can be found in the ancient houses of Esfahan, Kashan, Shiraz and Yazd.

I’ve tried to give examples based on Houses, Palaces, Museums etc., they are just tip of the iceberg keeping the vastness of the size and heritage of Iran.

Houses: Sheikh Al Islam House, Alam’s House (Isfahan), Abbasi House (Kashan), Borujerdi House(Kashan)

Palaces: Chehelsotun , Hasht-Behesht, Karim khan citadel (Shiraz)

Museums: Sanandaj Museum (Kurdistan province) , Amir Latifi House, Gorgan (Museum of Gorgan handicrafts), Islamic Art Museum (Isfahan)

Hotels: Mollabashi House(Isfahan), Abbasi Hotel (Isfahan) ,Angoorestan House (Isfahan)

Shrines: Holy shrine of Imam e Reza a. s. (Mashshad), Darb – I -Imam Shrine(Isfahan)

The city of Sanandaj in the (Western part of Iran ) is home to where this art is still being practiced and flourish.

Examples of Historical houses, Palaces and Mosque in Iran.

This is a historic house from Qajar period. On an interesting twist to history it is considered as one of the first Inter-Faith centres in the World.

Built during the Qajar period. Nasir al Mulk Mosque is a traditional Mosque located in Shiraz, Iran. It is popularly known as, Pink Mosque.

It was built in 1888,and display traditional elements of Persian architecture including extensive coloured glass or Orosi on it’s facade.

Aminiha Hosseiniyeh (Qazwin)

Asef Vaziri Mansion or Kurd House Museum (Sanandaj)

Turkey

Introduction

Turkey has a fascinating history of glass especially Istanbul, which has been a centre of glass making during the Ottoman Era.

Polychrome glass mosaic windows were an important part of Ottoman architecture.

Turkish Lancet Windows

A lancet window is a tall, narrow window with a pointed arch at it’s top. It is called  lancet because it resembles a lance. Turkish windows are usually Lancet in shape, made in wood and plaster.

Plaster lancet windows were used in Turkish monumental architecture. This technique has been used since the Seljuk Era.

The Ottoman architects utilised the thickness of the walls to develop a double layer of Upper windows , Dislik (exterior window) and Iclik (interior window).

Interior window (Revzen- i -menkus)

The interior window was set into the inner wall made of small pieces of glass of various colours arranged within a plaster frame.

The Ottomans called the decorative windows fitted with coloured glass, ‘revzen-i-menkus’ or (embroidered windows) .

These types of windows appeared in the 15th century and quickly became window structure of choice.

The plaster frame maker, like the jewelry maker, sought to fill every single space with some sort of a glass piece, thus advancing the craft into an art form.

 Design

Plaster windows  are designed in geometrical pattern, vegetal motifs and calligraphic bands.

External windows.

Located on the outside of the wall ,the function of the exterior window was to protect the gypsum plaster window from the inclement weather.

Some of the most exquisite stained glass work in Turkey is found in Mosques. Below are few examples found in Mosques, Palaces and Mansions etc.

Mosque: Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Sulemaniye Mosque,Sinan Pasha Mosque, Yeni Mosque, Rustem Pasha Mosque, Blue Mosque.

Palace: Topkapi Palace, Bakhchisaray Palace, Crimea Russia (once part of the Ottoman Empire) .

House: Melink House of Kordopoulos, Bulgaria

Anatolian Town Houses.

Some exquisite examples of Turkish architectural interiors

Blue Mosque interior, Istanbul (Turkey)

India

The Indian Sub-continent is dotted with havelis, mansions, palaces, deoris  having their extended balconies and rooms covered in exquisite glass and woodwork.

Introduction

Lucknow

Growing up in the historic city of Lucknow, I was exposed to the rich tapestry of the city including it’s colourful interior.

Visting the Imambara’s or holy shrines of the city I was awestruck with the burst of colours around me, from the alluring chandelier, kandeels, to the coloured doors and windows ,infact any visitor would be in awe with the aesthetics and beauty of these buildings.

I remember being amazed by the sheer beauty and grandeur of these holy places as a little girl  and here I am capturing those moments in writing.

Imambada Afzal Mahal , Chowk (Lucknow)

I still remember passing through the glass covered balcony spaces jutting out of the buildings in the old city ,keeping the privacy of the residents intact.

This is a black and white vintage photo from 1960’s in the collection of Mr. Ibrahim Ali Khan Shishmahal a member of the Royal family of Lucknow.

I have used it just to give an idea of Lucknow’s architectural heritage which sadly is under threat.

Examples of colourful Indian interiors:

Blissful interior of Peer Dastgir Sahab (Kashmir valley)

The desert state of Rajasthan is filled with beautiful palaces and havelis, reminding the people of their glorious past and heritage.

Some of these private spaces have been graced with exquisite glasswork which

forms the facade or share the private space of the house.

Rajasthan, the Land of Colour

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur (Rajasthan)

Stores and online websites

India having a rich cultural heritage  is filled with antique stores and thrift shops selling cultural items at throw away prices. Some sell them at exceedingly high price while some stuff is sold at nominal rates.

Websites

Antique doors , windows  and other architectural salvage are now available to customers around the world through online websites like Ebay, Etsy, The old world interiors etc.

These websites provide opportunities to customers to reuse and revamp their interiors.

Some have recycled it as cupboards, hangers, screens,floating shelves ,for Sun-rooms or just simple frames.

Indian Bazaar

The traditional Indian market or Bazaar caters to the needs of people selling vintage, traditional items to suit every pocket.

Mumbai has Chor Bazaar ,Lucknow has Nakhkhas market ,Delhi has Amar colony, infact every city in the country has a traditional bazaar .

High end stores like The Antique Loft, located in Hyderabad (Telengana) sells vintage furniture.

The Glass Studio

Swati Chandgadkar a former English Professor and her team has restored coloured glass over 100 years old across Mumbai,Goa ,Chennai ,Singapore.

New lease of life

For connoisseur of arts, art has no boundaries, their eyes see the beauty in the craft, one such house is of Mumbai based lawyer Mr. Mehmood Mehdi Abidi, he is also the creator and presenter of You Tube channel, “Culture Bazaar”.

He changes the look, style and decor of his rooms whenever he’s online explaining the culture, language and traditions of his beloved city of Lucknow which is aired on You Tube.

He was kind enough to share this piece of glass window, which he had bought from a thrift store and revamped it.

The glasses are old but were not part of the wooden frame. He took the trouble of finding old window glass to fit in the wooden frame and all his efforts have been paid off with an exquisite wood and glass Wall Partition.

With a little bit of patience and eye for detail a simple work can be turned into a Piece of Art, aesthetic and pleasing to our senses.

Coloured glass windows in Museum collections around the world.

Victoria and Albert Museum:

Window with stucco and glass, Egypt 18th -20th century.

Calligraphic panel with Shahada or Muslim profession of faith.

Discover Islamic Art: Virtual Museum.

Cairo, Ottoman Egypt, 16th century.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (THE  MET)

Leighton House, England

Conclusion

I have always believed in the Power of Pictures, they always speak for themselves even if we fail to notice. I’ve chosen a few colourful  interior spaces for my readers to cheer up and be inspired to Live Life in Colours.

Also Read more from this Author: Museum of Passion: In Rainbow Wonderland Part I 

Curated and Compiled by Humra Kidwai

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