Ostaad Elahi, Master Glass Blower

Some of the glassware ready for packing.


The man in the white shirt is not Ostaad Elahi, but rather one of his better apprentices. The one in the red shirt is a beginner apprentice.


Displays in the office.


Seated in the white shirt is Ostaad Elahi, the other two are apprentices.

It was very interesting to visit Ostaad Elahi's workshop today. First of all, he is the boss and therefore I did not need to deal with a lot of bureaucracy. He allowed me to interview him right then and there, take pictures, video tape the whole process of glass blowing, and even walk around the many HOT kilns that were being used. His workers were very humble people and did not even look me in the eye at first. This was out of respect, not insult (unlike some others in the past). I was encouraged by Ostaad Elahi to walk and video the shagerds, or the apprentices, as they worked. They never complained. It was a great experience and I'm going back tomorrow and Wednesday. Ramin wants to come also. The workshop is located in the south-eastern outskirts of Tehran and Mom asked Ebrahim, our olden days driver, to take me today. (She came also.) I think she was worried about the location since it's in a very industrial area. Ebrahim will be taking me the next two days, sans Mom. Sometimes I feel as if I'm still the teenager she used to control with an iron fist all those years gone by (and please, no comments).

Ostaad Elahi told me that they ship their glassware to Europe, Canada, and the USA. Glassware shipped to the USA is marked "Made in Azerbaijan". What a shame. Mom said they should put "Made in Persia" like the rugs in IKEA. Not a bad idea at all.