Visiting Iran and fighting the temptation of buying Khatam for souvenir seems impossible!
Different kinds of Khatam decorative objects; jewelry boxes, mirror and photo frames, office supplies, chess boards catch the eye of many tourists in Esfahan. This city has been the homeland of khatam workshops from Safavi Empire up to the present time. Esfahani masters make unique objects decorated with khatam like expensive caskets, tables, clocks, accessories for the table.
Wood, metal and bone are combined forming a unique pattern of a flower. It consists of assembling thin sticks of different natural materials in a geometric, most often star-shaped patterns. Needed material are chosen according to their colors in order to reach the proper final product.