Malayer

Malayer is the second largest city in Hamedan province, after Hamedan city. The most part of the population in this city are occupied with wooden handicrafts and especially the production of traditional furniture. Although this art had been existed from a long time ago, it is about a half century that it has gained prosperity. In some cases, the whole family are occupied with traditional furniture making and although they didn't make much money this way, their love for handicrafts and the increasing perseverance of woodcarving artists of Malayer shows today a new face of this art-craft to the world.

Despite all tragedies, Malayer woodcarving succeeded to be nationally registered in 1396 SH. And after two years of hard work and perseverance of people and authorities of the region, the products of Malayer woodcarving handicrafts met all UNESCO standards including high quality, authenticity, historical background, innovation and creativity. With the approval of the World Crafts Council’s inspectors in Bahman 1398 (January 2020) Malayer was added to the list of UNESCO cities and villages as “World City of Woodcarving and Wood-carved Furniture”.

Artists of this region use the wood of beech, walnut and plane trees to make different products such as traditional, classic, steel and sofa furniture. Their other products are dining table, desk, all kinds of chair, bed and decorative pieces. Today more than 60% of the furniture and woodcarving products in Iran is produced in Malayer and they are sent to many cities in Iran and exported to other countries like Central Asian countries, Persian Gulf countries, Turkey and Iraq. Gol-Dorosht (pattern of large flower), Gol-Riz (pattern of small flower), English, Posht Beyzi (with oval back), Kharchangi (crab from), Motakkayi (pillow form), Dasteh-choobi (with wooden handle), Soozani (needle form) and Se-Bo’di (three-dimensional) are the main patterns and styles of making furniture in Malayer that are produced in three general kinds of Egyptian, Classic and Modern.

Today more than 8000 artists are active in more than 4000 workshops and several centers are educating, developing and promoting this art-craft. The most important centers are 200 exhibition and workshop units, the innovative center of furniture and woodcarving in Islamic Azad University, Technical and Vocational Training Center, the Center for Advanced Research into Furniture and Woodcarving in National University of Malayer. It also should be said that the grapes and raisins of Malayer have already globally famous.