Varshosazi: Difference between revisions – Wikipedia

Varsho-sazi or varshosazi (Persian: ورشوسازی) is the art and craft of producing metal objects using Nickel silver (also: German Silver)^[1] alloy. The alloy is known as varsho or varshow (Persian: ورشو) in Persian. The profession of vasho-sazi was widespread in some cities of Iran during the Qajar and Pahlavi periods; and today, limited Varsho workshops are still operating around the country especially in Borujerd.

The varsho-sazi crafting is related and similar to the art of coppersmithing. The main difference between these two arts is the type of raw material used in the production of vessels, which in coppersmithing is made of copper metal and in varsho-sazi is made of nickel silver alloy. On the other hand, this art is also related to other professions such as production of handmade samovars.

The art of nickel silver repoussé and chasing in Iran reaches its highest point from the Qajar era through the Pahlavi dynasty. During the Qajar period, German Silver (nickel silver) sheets were imported from Germany and Poland and therefore, the alloy was named varsho referring to the city of Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Artists from Isfahan, Borujerd and Dezful first learned to produce repoussé and chasing works by observing samovars and other Russian products. The craftsmen were selected from coppersmith market and they learned to make utensils by shaping nickel silver and brass sheets; however, nickel silver was more popular because of its durability and the craftsmen could produce different objects for families and industry. During the 20th century, producing metal crafts using nickel silver and brass was practiced widely in Iranian cities. In recent decades, the art of varsho engraving and varsho-sazi has been disappeared in almost all Iranian cities except in Borujerd and few other cities such as Dezful. Beside the introduction of modern utensils, a considerable reduction on importing nickel silver sheets was a main reason for decline in the number of varsho workshops. ^[2]

The city of Borujerd is known as the main center of Varsho art and crafting in Iran. It is the only city that still has a number of workshops, museums, and artists active in this field. The history of varsho-sazi in Borujerd dates back to the Qajar period, when and making artworks on copper and brass were practiced widely in the city and the old bazaar of Borujerd had specific sections for metalworking and repoussé and chasing on copper and brass. The city has been named as the National city of Varsho which indicates its position in this area. There is also ongoing attempts to register the ‘art of varsho of Borujerd’ as a world heritage.