Termeh is a type of Iranian handwoven cloth, produced primarily in the Yazd province. Termeh has been admired throughout history: Greek historians commented on the beauty of Persian weavings in the Achaemenian (532 B.C.), Ashkani (222 B.C.) periods and the famous Chinese tourist Hoang Tesang admired Termeh. After Islam's arrival in Iran, the Persian weaving arts were greatly developed, especially
during the Safavid period (1502–1736 A.D.), during which time Zarbaf and Termeh weaving techniques were significantly refined. Weaving Termeh requires natural silk and good wool with tall fibers. Termeh is woven by an expert with the assistance of a worker called "Goushvareh-kesh". Weaving Termeh is a sensitive, careful, and time-consuming process; a good weaver can produce only 25 to 30 centimetres (10 to 12 in) in a day. The background colors used in Termeh are jujube red, light red, green, orange and black. Owing to the difficulty of producing Termeh and the advent of mechanized weaving, few Iranian factories still produce traditionally woven Termeh. Both Yazd and neighbouring Kerman regions have the reputation of producing quality termeh. As is the case with Persian carpets, traditional Yazdi, as well as Kermani termeh, have a reputation of being of superior quality and workmanship. Sermeh embroidery (Persian: سرمه دوزی) is an Iranian style of embroidery. Its origin dates back to the Achaemenid dynasty (some 25 centuries ago). It reached its zenith in the Safavid Dynasty. In this style of embroidery, gold and silver threads would be used to make decorating patterns on the surface of fabric; however, nowadays, almost entirely, threads twisted out of cheaper metals and alloys and metal like yarns have replaced gold and silver. The yarn used in patterning is springlike and elastic. Sermeh embroidery is the most popular in the cities of Isfahan, Yazd, Kashan.
