lobby

The plaster moulding and the painting of the ceiling of the large hall are modeled after Alighapou palace. The paintings on the pieces of wood, known as Tabl-o-Toranj in front of the reception, are reminiscent of Chehelsotoun in traditional Persian paintings. The plaster moulding, illumination and paintings between the ground and the first floors, fretworks, the intricate wooden lattice works on the light bulbs are all manifestations of traditional Persian art and manufactures of Isfahan Architectural school.

On the first floor, the two tableaus made of convex mirror encrusted stalactites with designs of peacock, a cedar tree, and blossoms endow the entrance hall with a particular splendour. To adorn the ceiling of the above floor, the craftsmen have employed an innovative and novel style, which is a combination of plaster moulding and colored convex mirror works. To provide the pieces of the ceiling's bits of convex mirror, sixteen thousand colored carboys were prepared in a special furnace, used for the same purpose. These carboys were first coated with mercury and then changed to mirrors. Then the carboys were broken and two hundred thousand pieces of colored convex mirrors, which are used in the plastering of the ceiling, were cut bit by bit. The plaster moulding has extended to the lower parts of the special stairs of the hall. There, one can better see the amazing delicacy and deftness with which the moulding is done.

The plastering area amounts to 300 square meters; the wooden pieces, all cut with hands and fixed on the pillars and the walls, come to 80 square meters; the length of the wooden rows above the pillars and the walls amount to 75 meters. The wooden railings of the special stairs of the entrance hall are made of fifty-year-old plane trees which are modeled after the railings of Hashtbehesht (Eight paradises) and which all display the masterly expertise of the craftsmen. The wooden works, both on the walls and on the pillars, the railings and the furnishings were designed by Mr. Ebrahimian, who was inspired by the various original Persian styles and then were made by the late Master Chaichi. IN the eastern side of the entrance hall, there exists a teahouse on whose western wall one of the masterpieces of the late Master Yasaei Shajanian caresses the eye of every observer. This painting's design and colors are reminiscent of the Safavid artistic school; it very well equals the masterpieces of this school. The sash windows and the old doors made of mirror and glass and the new-built pillars in between, which harmonize with the very antique works, are of special attractions of this part of the hotel