Persian Locks: 1500 Years of Iranian Padlocks

9781733325011

Persian Locks: 1500 Years of Iranian Padlocks

Hardcover, 144 pages, 10-inches x 8.5-inches, over 500 full color photos and drawings.

Price: $32.50

REVIEWS

"When I opened the package (containing Persian Locks) my first word was WOW!! I think it will be yours too." - Billy B. Edwards, TheLockman

"(Persian Locks) is an absolutely beautiful volume detailing the lock-making traditions of Iran. The illustrations of lock mechanisms within this book are solidly in the tradition of Roger Jean Segalat’s How Things Work (the original of course!), fascinating in their clarity and simplicity. However, you don’t simply get diagrams of how locks were constructed, but a reasonably comprehensive history of locks and lockmaking within Greater Iran or Persia. Along with that is a selection of photographs of locks from the author’s collection, showcasing an astounding variety of forms and styles across the centuries. I am fascinated by the author’s suggestion that the artistic energy of representational art was redirected into everyday objects like locks after Islam became the dominant religion in Iran, all but eliminating sculpture and painting. The care with which this volume was produced is evident. All of the pictures are crisp and clear." - Benjamin Espen

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In Iran, the padlock was developed in an amazing variety of sizes, shapes, materials, and mechanisms, the likes of which are less frequently encountered in Europe. On the whole, very little attention has been devoted to the history and development of the lock in Iran.

Parviz Tanavoli, Iran's leading sculptor, was first attracted to the locks of his own country because of their sculptural qualities. In this beautiful and informative book the author shares with us, in over 500 photos and drawings, the most interesting examples of locks from his famous collection which was first introduced to the American public by the Smithsonian Institute on the occasion of the American Bicentennial. You will also find detailed drawings which clearly illustrate the workings of the various locking mechanisms (e.g., barbed-spring, helical-spring, notched-shackle, hook and revolving catch, etc.) used in the locks in this book. All locks are dated and when known, the place of manufacture is given.

A smaller version of this updated and expanded book was published by The Smithsonian Institution in 1976 with the title, "Locks from Iran: Pre-Islamic to Twentieth Century." In 2019 and 2020 the author edited his original book adding new text and a great number of new high-quality photos of locks which have been added to his collection in the 44 years since the first book was published.

Hardcover, 144 pages, 10-inches x 8.5-inches, over 500 photos and drawings.

Publisher:

Artisan Ideas

Year Published:

2021

Format:

Hardcover, 144 pages, Hundreds of High Quality Photos

Language:

English

Dimensions:

10-in. x 8.5-in. x .6-in

Author: