Qajar Tehran. The Glass and Ceramics Museum and the Italian Residence

In its quest for the most evocative and interesting architectural accomplishments of the world, in 1980 magazine ran into the Glass and Ceramics Museum of Tehran. The astounding character of this Museum resides in the contrast between the historically dense and sophisticated Qajar era mansion housing it and the cutting-edge, exquisitely modern interiors designed by a prominent Austrian architect, Hans Hollein. The striking building housing the Glass and Ceramics Museum is a historic residence which used to be the home for 30 years of an influential political figure of Qajar time, by the name of Ahmad Qavam. The building is located on Si-e Tir Street, in the so called “religious district” of Tehran, where holy places belonging to, an impressive research which brings to light all of Tehran’s architectural wealth registered on Iran’s national monuments’ list. Among the many sites in the book, the complex of the Italian Embassy Residence and Gardens in the northern residential area of Tehran, is prominently featured. Just as the Glass and Ceramic Museum, the main residential building within the complex, which today serves as the Italian Ambassador’s residence, also dates back to the Qajar era and prominently features the architectural and decorative richness of that time. The name of the district where the Italian Embassy Residence and Gardens is situated, Farmanieh, originates from the owner of the property, Abdolhossein Mirza Farmanfarma, a Qajar Prince and influential political figure of the first decades of 20th century. After his death, in 1940 the property was sold to the Embassy of Italy and since then it belongs to the Italian State. With an area of 61,750 square meters, its breathtaking outdoor spaces are renowned as the most prominent example of authentic Persian garden still preserved in the city of Tehran. The central water channel and the fountains are just two of the most recognizable features of this authentic gem. The complex includes the iconic Harem, which used to be the private quarters of the Prince’s family, an Hammam, which constitutes a precious example of Persian baths, and other buildings originally used either as administration or as private homes for the Prince’s servants.