Verified artisan Level: Fakher Export ready Featured artist

Ostad Hossein Alavi

Marquetry (Khatam) Isfahan 38 years of experience

Master Hossein Alavi is an Isfahan khatam maker specialising in fine boxes, chess sets and khatam-set jewellery. His six-pointed stars are cut to tolerances under half a millimetre.

کارگاه خاتم‌کاری هنر اصفهان

View the works Region

Pieces

Completed orders

Years of experience

Rating

4.6

Story

The artisan story

His father trained in the khatam school of the Pahlavi era and he grew up with the smell of jujube wood. Restoring one Qajar box once cost him three months to recreate its missing stars. Khatam, he believes, is the art of silent patience — it reveals a one-millimetre error years later.

Gallery

Inside the workshop

Works

Works by this artist

3 pieces

Has a certificate

Khatam Boxes & Objects

Khatam Mirror Frame

Ostad Hossein Alavi · Isfahan

Artisan share 68%

17 USD

4.6 (26)

-20%

Has a certificate

Khatam Boxes & Objects

Khatam Chess Set

Ostad Hossein Alavi · Isfahan

Artisan share 60%

61 USD

49 USD

5.0 (1)

Has a certificate

Khatam Boxes & Objects

Khatam Box — Six-pointed Star

Ostad Hossein Alavi · Isfahan

Artisan share 58%

7 USD

5.0 (1)

Workshop

Honar-e Isfahan Marquetry Workshop

Isfahan, Taleghani Street, Khatam Alley

Founded in 1985

Capacity for 30 artisans

Wood cutting and preparation area Glue and mould room Marquetry assembly and detailing

Export licence 4.7

Quality record

Level history

Gold Fakher

Mar 1, 2026 · Score 93

ارتقای سطح پس از بازبینی کیفیت و امتیاز کارشناسی در کمیتهٔ فاخر.
Silver Gold

Aug 1, 2025 · Score 84

ارتقای سطح پس از بازبینی کیفیت و امتیاز کارشناسی در کمیتهٔ فاخر.
Bronze Silver

Jan 1, 2025 · Score 75

ارتقای سطح پس از بازبینی کیفیت و امتیاز کارشناسی در کمیتهٔ فاخر.
Novice Bronze

Jun 1, 2024 · Score 66

ارتقای سطح پس از بازبینی کیفیت و امتیاز کارشناسی در کمیتهٔ فاخر.

Reviews

What buyers say

4.6 (155)

A piece worth seeing

The weaving quality is outstanding — exactly as it appears in the photographs. The packaging was flawless too.

نوید رستگار Oct 3, 2026

A piece worth seeing

The handmade piece arrived with its certificate and the artisan's story card; I feel I bought a narrative, not just an object.

Fatima Al Mansoori Oct 3, 2026