TEHRAN – A number of exemplary Iranian craftspeople were honored in a ceremony, which was hosted by the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization in Tehran on Tuesday.

Amongst the honorees were traditional jewelry maker Mostafa Yahuei form Khorasan Razavi province, woodcarver Hesam Heydari form Kordestan province, leather craftsman Esmail Mirfakhrai from Isfahan province, and potter Mohammad Hossein Afshari from Alborz province, Mehr news agency reported.

The ceremony was attended by CHTHO Deputy Director Bahman Namvar-Motlaq, several other cultural officials and tens of countrywide artisans.

Over the past couple of years, dozens of Iranian handicrafts have been honored with the UNESCO Seal of Excellence. In 2010, a total of 65 crafts on various themes including enamel, tile, metalwork, leatherwork, wood carving received the privilege.

The photo above shows a patchwork of traditional Iranian vessels meticulously inlaid with enamel.

AFM/MG