Pictory

An Architectural and Historical Gem

Thank you for sharing this clip and for a thousand reminders of beautiful memories of Iran. I found it ironic that a museum would be so devoid of activity, visitors, or information officers to provide information about the history of the museum and the house itself.

This building has had several lives and to quote the museum's own description of the landmark:

"The premises that have been turned into museum where glass and clay works are on display were built about 90 years ago upon orders of Ahmad Qavam (Qavam-ol-Saltaneh) for his personal lodging (residence and working office). The building is situated in a garden with a span of 7000 square meters and was used by Qavam himself till the year 1953."

"Later, the building was sold to the Egyptians as the new premises for the embassy of Egypt and remained in their possession for seven years. When relations were strained between Iran and Egypt at the time of Abdul Nasser and subsequent to the closure of the Egyptian embassy in Iran, the Commercial Bank purchased the building."

"However, it was sold to Farah Pahlavi’s bureau in 1976 and was turned into a museum by three groups of Iranian, Austrian and French architects. The museum was opened in 1980 and was registered in the list of national heritage in 1998."

Quite obviously, the description is silent on at least two other occupants of the building. One was Princess Fawzieh of Egypt, who occupied it during her courtship with the Shah of Iran before their wedding.

The other was Embassy of Afghanistan. I have also heard that right after the Islamic Revolution, it may have been home to the "Palestinian Embassy," too, though I cannot find any references to that anywhere.

Thank you very much for your heartful souvenir from Tehran. More can be read about the Abgineh Glassware and Ceramics Museum here:

http://www.glasswaremuseum.ir/

and here:http://www.allmuseums.com/abgineh_museums.html