Stories From a Master: A Lifetime Shaping Clay in Iran

Join me on a visit to a traditional pottery workshop in Lalejin, Iran’s pottery capital, where I meet the son of Master Haj Asgar. As he shapes clay, he shares memories of the workshop, his family’s craft, and the changes he has witnessed over decades. Here, pottery is more than a craft—it is a legacy carried forward through generations. On my very first trip to Lalejin, after launching this channel, I was fortunate to be welcomed into the historic workshop of Master Haj Asgar’s family. His son welcomed me and shared stories of the workshop and the generations of potters who have worked there. Listening to him—whose 98-year-old father is a master of Iranian pottery—is like turning the pages of a living history book. He recalls a time when cash was scarce and pottery was traded for wheat, barley, and butter. He has seen pottery kilns change from burning wood and black oil to using natural gas. Although he retired ten years ago, he still comes to the workshop and works alongside his son. Pottery remains an essential part of his life. This video offers an intimate look inside a traditional workshop and at a way of life now facing change as modern factories and slip-casting become more widespread. It is a tribute to the artisans who continue to keep their heritage alive through their work. From the bottom of my heart, I thank the masters of this workshop for their extraordinary hospitality, patience, and generosity in allowing me to document a part of Lalejin’s story. Knowing that this visual record will remain for years to come, preserving a glimpse of their work and lives, means a great deal to me. If you enjoyed this journey into the heart of Iranian craftsmanship, please like, share, and subscribe to support the preservation of these stories. 🌐 Subtitles available in English, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish, and Turkish — choose your language in Settings → Subtitles/CC. 00:00 Welcome to the Workshop & Regional Dialects 02:35 The 98-Year-Old Grand Master & Family Legacy 03:33 Transporting Pottery & Trading It for Food 05:20 The Landlord Era & Changing Kiln Fuels 07:05 Preparing Clay for the Pottery Wheel 07:50 Wheel-Thrown Pottery vs. Modern Slip Casting 08:46 Shaping the Vessel: A Potter’s Technique 09:20 Working After Retirement & Traditional Architecture 10:54 Exploring the Back of the Workshop 13:32 Storing Clay for Winter 14:32 Selling Pottery in Baba Taher Square 60 Years Ago 16:10 Pottery for Everyday Use 16:54 Preserving the Soul of Lalejin (Outro) #Lalejin #IranianPottery #TraditionalCrafts #PersianCulture #Documentary #MasterPotter #LivingHistory