An Analysis of the Qualitative Characteristics of Coin Embroidery in Historical Garments Preserved in the Āstān Quds Rażavī Museum Treasury

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Razieh AkbarzadeRobat ¹

Farzaneh Farrokhfar ²

¹ MA Student, Department of Islamic Art, Faculty of Art, University of Neyshabur, Neyshabur, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Graphic Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

10.22067/jhistory.2026.97393.1430

Abstract

The Āstān Quds Rażavī Museum houses one of Iran’s most valuable collections of cultural and artistic heritage, including a diverse range of historical artifacts and documents. A portion of these garments are embellished with coin embroidery and decorated with coins dating from different historical periods and varying in material and size. Given the diversity of the largely undocumented coin-embroidered garments preserved in the museum’s treasury, this study asks what can be learned from their analysis regarding garment types, coin fineness, the quality of coin stitching and attachment, and the use of these garments. The study aims to identify the qualitative characteristics of coin embroidery and their application in garment decoration, drawing on the archives of the Āstān Quds Rażavī Museum in order to investigate the social status of the garments’ owners. The research is developmental in nature and employs a descriptive-analytical approach, using both documentary and field-based methods for data collection. Findings indicate that coin embroidery was used most extensively on women’s garments, where a wide variety of coins differing in type, size, material, form, and color were used across different parts of the garment, often in combination with other decorative techniques such as embroidery. These garments were worn on particular occasions and in specific ceremonial contexts and belonged predominantly to the privileged classes of society. Their use extends from the Ṣafavīd period through the Pahlavī period.

Keywords

Āstān Quds Rażavī Museum

Coin Embroidery

Garment Decoration

Ṣafavīd Period

Qājār Period

Subjects

• History of Islamic Arts

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