Qavam House
Encyclopedia
Qavam House is a traditional and historical house in Shiraz, Iran
.
It was built in the mid-to-late 19th century by Mirza Ibrahim Khan. The Qavam family were merchants originally from Qazvin
. But they soon became active in the government during the Zand dynasty
, followed by the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasty
as well.
The Qavam "Naranjestan" preserves the elegance and refinement enjoyed by the upper class families during the 19th century. The paintings on the low ceilings of the house are inspired by Victorian
era Europe.
The mirrored porch was a focal point of the house, overlooking onto gardens lined with date palm
s and flowers.
During the second Pahlavi era, the House became the headquarters of Pahlavi University's "Asia Institute", directed by Arthur Pope
and Richard Nelson Frye
. Frye and his family also lived in the house for a while as well.
The house today is a museum
open to the public.
Shiraz, Iran
Shiraz is the sixth most populous city in Iran and is the capital of Fars Province, the city's 2009 population was 1,455,073. Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the Roodkhaneye Khoshk seasonal river...
.
It was built in the mid-to-late 19th century by Mirza Ibrahim Khan. The Qavam family were merchants originally from Qazvin
Qazvin
Qazvin is the largest city and capital of the Province of Qazvin in Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 349,821, in 96,420 families....
. But they soon became active in the government during the Zand dynasty
Zand dynasty
The Zand dynasty ruled southern and central Iran in the 18th century.- Karim Khan Zand :The dynasty was founded by Karim Khan, chief of the Zand tribe which was Lur or Lak deportees. Modern scholarships such as Wadie Jwaideh suggested his Kurdishness. He became one of Nader Shah's generals...
, followed by the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasty
Pahlavi dynasty
The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty consisted of two Iranian/Persian monarchs, father and son Reza Shah Pahlavi (reg. 1925–1941) and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi The Pahlavi dynasty ...
as well.
The Qavam "Naranjestan" preserves the elegance and refinement enjoyed by the upper class families during the 19th century. The paintings on the low ceilings of the house are inspired by Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
era Europe.
The mirrored porch was a focal point of the house, overlooking onto gardens lined with date palm
Date Palm
The date palm is a palm in the genus Phoenix, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit. Although its place of origin is unknown because of long cultivation, it probably originated from lands around the Persian Gulf. It is a medium-sized plant, 15–25 m tall, growing singly or forming a clump with...
s and flowers.
During the second Pahlavi era, the House became the headquarters of Pahlavi University's "Asia Institute", directed by Arthur Pope
Arthur Pope
Arthur Upham Pope , was an American archaeologist and historian of Persian art.Born in Phenix, Rhode Island, graduated from Worcester Academy in 1899, and taught at Amherst College and the University of California. He married fellow Persian art historian, Phyllis Ackerman, in 1920. In 1923, Pope...
and Richard Nelson Frye
Richard Nelson Frye
Richard Nelson Frye is an American scholar of Iranic and Central Asian Studies, and Aga Khan Professor Emeritus of Iranian Studies at Harvard University...
. Frye and his family also lived in the house for a while as well.
The house today is a museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
open to the public.
See also
- Architecture of Iran
- Traditional Persian residential architectureTraditional Persian residential architectureTraditional Persian residential architecture, is the architecture employed by builders and craftsmen in the cultural Greater Iran and the surrounding regions to construct vernacular houses...
- Eram gardenEram GardenEram Garden |Bāgh]] of Eram") is a historic Persian garden in Shiraz, Iran. Eram is the Persianized version of the Arabic word "Iram" meaning heaven in the Muslim's book of Koran. Eram Garden therefore is so called for its beauties and aesthetic attractions resembling "heaven." This garden is...