Embroidering of Silver (Filigree - Telkari)

Embroidering of silver (filigree) is very common in Beypazarı. Filigree silvers are like piece of arts with their elegance and different designs.

The craft of filigree started in Beypazarı through Ahilik, an association of craftsman and tradesman started to be established in Anatolia in 13^th century. The people of Beypazarı liked this craft and improved it very much.

There is a mine of silver in Beypazarı which was an important stop in Silk Road. As in the past, silver is brought to Beypazarı from other cities. Silvers, brought as bullions, are melted, thinned and turn into wire. Craftsmen shape the silver easily and create different decorative gifts and pieces of jewelry. The technique used to process the silver is called filigree – telkari. Filigree is to decorate pieces of jewelry with thin wires of silver. The thinner the wire is the more valuable the jewelry is. The wire is made of silver and gold. Since the gold is expensive, the silver is usually used. The silver pieces of jewelry are namely belts, necklaces, brooch, bride-price, etc. The movies in filigree reflect the Turkish taste and the interpretation of the nature from the Turkish – Islamic perspective.

The craftsmen of silver are gathered in a center rebuilt in Beypazarı, where this craft has revived through a relation of master and apprentice. Silver products, processed through the technique of filigree which requires patience and careful handwork play an important role in increasing the tourism potential of Beypazarı.

We wish that Beypazarı should be an example for the revival of our traditional crafts and arts which are disappearing day by day.

Wrought Copper: It is one of the most developed handcrafts of Beypazarı. Masters produces things like large jugs, saucepans, frying pans, boilers, long spouted water pitchers and cigarette cases by forging the copper with hammer and anvil. Copper goods processed by this method are still used by the people of the region.

Embroidered Çevre’s and Gilded Silver Thread: Embroidery is a kind of decoration made by various kinds and colors of threads and needles on textiles or leather. In Beypazarı, “bindallı” is a popular embroidered dress that is inherited by mothers to daughters. It is accompanied by a “çevre” which is a kind of fine muslin embroidered in the size of a handkerchief. It is still used by local women of the town.

Handloom: Cotton, artificial silk and wool thread are used in handloom, which is a traditional job in Beypazarı. The fabric weaved in the machines in used for sewing waistcoats and baggy trousers – şalvar – for winter.

Silk Handloom: “Bürgü” is a kind of large scarf used by women. Silk handloom is also a traditional job, still surviving.

Pack saddling: It has lost its importance due to the change in transportation vehicles. Since Beypazarı was on the way to Baghdad, pack saddlers were very important for the caravans. On the other hand, the town is one of the rare places in Turkey that still go on producing packsaddles.

Harness Making: Saddler is the person who makes saddles and harnesses. This job has been very important for Turks since the old ages and it still survives in Beypazarı.

Black Smithery: Although the number of black smiths, who shape iron with forks, anvils, hammers and mauls, has decreased, this job which a history of 70 years, still survives.