Tabriz Pottery Museum

The Tabriz Pottery Museum, also known as the Sarraflar House and the Alavi House, is one of the cultural and historical attractions of Tabriz in East Azerbaijan Province. The museum is located on Shams Tabrizi Street, in Sarraflar Alley, and occupies a historic building dating from the Qajar and Pahlavi periods. The Sarraflar House originally belonged to the Sarraflar family. After other families, including the Alavi family, lived in it, it was handed over to the Cultural Heritage Organization to be turned into a space for introducing and teaching the art of pottery. The monument was registered on Iran's National Heritage List on 17 Esfand 1381 (8 March 2003) under number 7802. Today, besides the historical value of the building, the Tabriz Pottery Museum is known as a place to learn about the region's traditional arts and handicrafts, and it offers an opportunity to discover part of the artistic culture of East Azerbaijan.

The architecture of the Tabriz Pottery Museum house reflects the features of traditional Iranian houses of the Qajar period. The building has two floors and a basement with a hoz-khaneh (a room with a pool), and its courtyard, with a pool in the middle, trees and greenery, creates a pleasant setting for visitors. A columned iwan, delicate plasterwork with floral motifs, large windows and skylights, and semicircular arches are among the architectural features of this house. The museum's sections include a permanent exhibition of works by potters, the hoz-khaneh used for temporary exhibitions and artistic gatherings, a shop selling pottery, and a teaching space. Works by artists such as Ahmad Ghabchi, Abbas Ghabchi and Farideh Tatahhori Moghaddam are on display. Visitors can also learn about the various stages of traditional pottery made with the region's white clay, from preparing the clay and throwing on the wheel to glazing and firing. Tabriz pottery is mostly functional and is made from white clay; colorless and turquoise glazes and decorations such as painting, openwork and relief work are also among the distinctive features of this art.

To visit the Tabriz Pottery Museum, go to Shams Tabrizi Street and reach the entrance of the house through Sarraflar Alley. Shahid Norouzi Alley and the area around the Gerow station are also landmarks on the way to the museum. Since the museum lies within Tabriz's urban fabric, you can combine your visit with a walk around the city's other historical attractions, including the Maqbaratoshoara (Mausoleum of Poets) and the Qajar Museum. Spring and early autumn, because of Tabriz's usual weather conditions, are good times to explore the city and visit its historic buildings; nevertheless, the museum can also be a good destination in other seasons for anyone interested in history and art. Before you go, it is best to check the museum's opening hours and whether you can take part in the educational classes. During your visit, help protect the cultural and artistic heritage of this complex by keeping quiet in the exhibition areas, not touching the works without permission, and following the staff's advice.