(9 Oct 2017) LEADIN:
An antique house in Tehran offers visitors an escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital, as well as a taste of old Persian lifestyle.
STORYLINE:
This entrance is certainly different from your average Iranian home.
The intricate tile work and beautiful courtyard can be found in an antique house in Tehran - now open to visitors.
"Everyone is busy and has a lot on their mind, but when you come here, you have more peace of mind. It's so pleasant," says Shaghayegh Alikhani, a Tehran resident.
The house is close to several palaces, and is located at the heart of the capital Tehran, now a bustling business area.
Built in the late Qajar period, which ended in 1925, and expanded during Pahlavi dynasty, the house originally belonged to a member of the Qajar court.
The owner's son Mohsen Moghaddam, a French-educated archaeologist, returned to Iran in 1936 and started decorating the house with artefacts collected from across the country, from tiles and precious stones to paintings, coins and medals.
Ancient tiles from various historical periods are installed on the walls.
Moghaddam later donated the house to the University of Tehran in the 1970s.
Mahta Sheikhi is an expert at the museum.
"Mr. Moghaddam started to collect historical artefacts. There are artefacts, from stone tools dating back to the Paleolithic era, to modern time here."
The Moghaddam house is also a mixture of various architecture styles.
It consists of separate interior and exterior parts, a typical characteristic of luxury houses owned by well-to-do Iranians.
The interior, or Andaruni, is where the family lives, and it is covered from the exterior, or the Biruni, where men spend time with guests and non-relatives.
This is meant to keep women away from strangers' eyes.
"The Andaruni (interior) part of the house has all characteristics of a typical Iranian house. We have a pool at the centre, and there are four gardens on the sides, and balconies," says Sheikhi.
However, Moghaddam started adding elements inspired by others schools of architecture.
"There are more modern elements too, including this courtyard and the garden which is a European-style garden, with various types of trees not following any specific pattern. This place is a mixture of different styles. One interesting part is the Japanese pond and a pool designed after the style of Alhambra palace in Spain,"
At one corner of the courtyard there is a basement called the Basin Room.
It was mostly used during the summer, with a basin and fountain along with an air vent providing a basic air conditioning system with cross-ventilation - something still appreciated by visitors today.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
