Syria · Metalwork / Blacksmithing
No single standardized local term documented beyond general reference to the craft
The inlaying of silver or brass into metal surfaces to create intricate patterns and designs on traditional bowls, vases, and coffee pots, practiced within the small craftsman workshops of Khan al-Julud, an enchanting historic yard within the intricate labyrinth of Bab Sharqi (the Eastern Gate) in the old city of Damascus. These workshops preserve ancient Syrian craftsmanship traditions, including inlaid silver and brass metalwork, Damascene swords, and mosaics, standing as symbols of Syria's cultural heritage for centuries. Youssef al-Hamid, a 46-year-old skilled craftsman directly interviewed and photographed by Xinhua at his Khan al-Julud workshop, creates intricate patterns and designs by inlaying silver or brass into a metal surface, guided by deft hands and age-old wisdom handed down through generations; al-Hamid is specifically documented as able to make intricate designs in copper or seamlessly inlay silver threads to craft finished patterns. The wider Syrian tradition of brass and copper artisanal work -- involving hammering, engraving, and filigree techniques to produce trays, coffee pots, lanterns, and other intricate pieces -- is historically centered not only in Damascus but also, with particular renown, in the city of Homs. Syria's copper handicraft industry has been directly and severely documented as heavily damaged during the country's civil war, with many coppersmiths leaving the country; despite this, craftsmen including al-Hamid continue actively working within Khan al-Julud's surviving workshops, striving to preserve this ancient artistry despite ongoing modern challenges.
Risk level: Critically Endangered · Not independently inscribed
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