Forged in Fire, the Ancient Practice of Herat Glass Lives On

Nasrullah Faizi, his son Khairullah, and his nephew Ghulam Sakhi are one of the last families keeping the tradition of Afghani Herat glass alive. The process of making Herat glass is over 2500 years old, as it is the exact same process that originated in Mesopotamia. Detailed instructions on how to make such vividly colored and elegant blown vessels exist today courtesy of cuneiform tablets that date back to the 7th century BC. The Faizi family recounts how this tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, maintaining the use of all-natural dyes, ancient practices, and a certain level of craftsmanship and respect required to become an acquaintance of fire.

The Faizi and Sakhi family are not only preserving their artistic heritage but are doing a great honor to the art of glassblowing. Utilizing recycled glass, they work with temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees Celsius in order to craft simple, yet elegant turquoise and lapis-colored glassware. In their tradition, men work with the glass and women create ornate and fluid designs.

Located in the North West of Afghanistan, Herat has its own fascinating and complex history. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has long been known as “the Pearl of Khorasan,” however, the near extinction of Herat glass derives from compounding economic and social issues the region of Herat faces. Cheap and mass-produced factory imports have flooded the region, pricing local glassmakers out in the local market. Additionally, the region has been heavily impacted by the aftermath of the War in Afghanistan, which essentially shut down tourism. Its forced isolation from global markets, dwindling interest in traditional arts, and the collapse of the tourism industry have made it so that keeping this glasswork alive is a true labor of love by artisans like Nasrullah, Khairullah, and Ghulam.