Tehran, YJC. Felting is an old craft which has been practice in Iran from very old times.
Felt is a traditionally produced fabric in the mountainous
arias of Iran. Products such as ground cloth and saddle cloth found in ancient
crypts in the Iranian Plateau date the felting craft to the first millennium
B.C.
From the characteristic features of felt, such as its heat
and moisture isolating abilities, one can surmised that the artifact has to
have been made by inhabitants of places where cold and humidity have most
threatened their lives. Therefore, the mountainous areas of Alborz and Zagros
and other such places across the Iranian Plateau must have been the hubs for
the production of felt handicraft.
There are two aspects to a traditional felt handicraft. The
first one, which arises from the intrinsic characteristics of the material, is
the service it can provide in terms of protection against cold, moisture, cold
weapon blows, etc.
The other aspect is what the creative, artistic mind of man
works into the craft in order to make it not a thing merely of physical use,
but also of aesthetic value.
The pretty simple procedure through which felt is made, the
simple tools used for doing so, and the abundance of material that goes into it
all indicate the early age since when felt could have been manufactured.
Besides being a good isolator for humidity and heat, felt is
also notable for its strength. The canine tooth and feliformia claw cannot tear
into it. The makers say when wet, felt cannot be cut even with a sword. They say
it even resists bullets.
Felt can be easily recycled. When a felt artifact wears away
or falls out of form, the material can be easily turned into something new with
a new function.
The texture is beautiful, feels good, and can be worked into
dainty pieces of clothing alongside other material.
Easy to make, it is highly profitable to the manufacturer
and affordable for the costumer.