Photos: Nevit Dilmen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Dosseman, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 R Prazeres, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Nevit Dilmen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Dosseman, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 R Prazeres, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Telkari, Mardin's silver filigree, on camera
Your local guide
Gabriel Şahin
View profile
Highlights
- Fine silver wire shaped by hand
- A family workshop's history
- Patterns built from small twists
- How long a piece takes to make
- A slow craft, carefully explained
About this tour
This session shows telkari, Mardin's traditional silver filigree, from the workshop bench to a set of finished pieces. You see fine silver wire being shaped by hand, then completed jewellery built entirely from small twisted sections. The two stops connect the slow, careful process to the finished craft.
I begin with a sound check at the bench, then we move to the finished pieces while you ask questions about the technique. I explain roughly how long different pieces take to make. At the end I send a short note on the history of the craft.
This suits anyone interested in traditional craftsmanship rather than only architecture and history. It also suits someone considering a piece to take home who wants to understand how it was made.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Mardin before heading out.
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Workshop Bench 21 min
The camera looks closely at fine silver wire being twisted and shaped by hand. I explain the family history behind this particular workshop.
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Finished Filigree Pieces 21 min
You see completed pieces laid out, their patterns built from many small twists of wire. I point out how long a single piece can take to complete.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Mardin: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Mardin kebabı and Savurkapı, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Istanbul time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 9 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Mardin, showing you Workshop Bench and Finished Filigree Pieces live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need any background in art?
No. The guide explains what matters as you go, whatever you already know or do not.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I show you a telkari workshop live with my phone.
Times shown in Istanbul time (GMT+3)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Fri 30 Oct · 9 seats left From 22,00 €
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