Our Story
Papital [پاپیتال], the Farsi word for evergreen Ivy plant, that climbs the exterior of buildings and structures as a living architectural element. Our handcrafted clay jewelry draws inspiration from the enduring beauty of decorative tiles and resilience of Papital (Ivy) Plant.
Our Journey Begins
Papital Gallery was born in Tehran in 2016, fueled by a group of young artisans with a bold vision: to reimagine the intricate beauty of traditional tilework into unique, handcrafted clay jewelry. For a year, we tirelessly showcased our pieces at weekly craft markets and sought out stores, facing rejections and celebrating small sales. Our persistence paid off. Loyal customers discovered us, and stores began stocking our designs.
Papital Grows
In 2017, Papital Gallery’s growth fueled our desire to give back to our community. We offered paid jewelry-making workshops in community centers, specifically designed to empower single mothers and women seeking sustainable income. Partnering with a local charity focused on fighting child labor, their Entrepreneurship Center provided a safe space for women to learn our craft. Childcare and educational support were provided, ensuring a holistic approach. To date, we’ve trained over 50 women and directly support over 20 individuals in design, production, packaging, and sales.
Est. 2016 20 Colleagues Worldwide Delivery
Discover the story behind Papital Gallery in this 2021 TV interview (with English subtitles). Explore how our commitment to Ethical Fashion and Social Responsibility intertwines with the rich cultural heritage that inspires our unique clay jewelry designs.
Papital Gallery proudly partners with Fairtrade shops across Europe, expanding our reach and commitment to ethical practices. Since 2018, CONTIGO stores in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have showcased our unique, handcrafted clay jewelry. Our 2019 partnership with Italy’s altraQualità further expands our global presence. We celebrate these opportunities to share our artistry with a wider audience and are actively seeking new partnerships to bring the beauty of our designs to even more customers.