Mardin Telkari Museum

The Mardin Telkari Museum was opened on 10 December 2023 by the Midyat Municipality with the aim of preserving exhibiting and promoting the art of telkari silverwork. Located in the Akçakaya Neighborhood of Midyat district in Mardin within the Southeastern Anatolia Region the museum is the only thematic museum in Türkiye dedicated to telkari. In addition to presenting historical and culturally significant telkari artifacts to visitors the museum also hosts a production workshop that allows visitors to observe the manufacturing process.

^{Mardin Telkari Museum} (Mardin Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Telkari is a traditional craft with particular significance in the Syriac community. This decorative art involves assembling fine silver threads and dates back to around 3000 BCE in Mesopotamia and 2500 BCE in Anatolia. The origin of telkari is believed to be Mosul and it began to be used by Turks from the 15th century onward. In Türkiye the craft is especially associated with Midyat district of Mardin Trabzon and Beypazarı district of Ankara.

The term telkari derives from Persian combining tel meaning thread and kâri meaning weaving. Telkari art is also known as filigree and is based on the assembly of fine silver threads into motifs. Goldwork is referred to as Tillokâri.

Three main techniques are used in telkari production:

• Mat Telkari: A weaving technique used in the Trabzon region.
• Inlay Telkari: Inserting threads into carved shapes and recesses on stone metal or wood.
• Cage Telkari: Joining shaped threads by welding; used in both jewelry and decorative objects.

The silver threads used in telkari are drawn to a thickness of up to 25 microns and melted at a temperature of 950 degrees Celsius. Due to silver’s antibacterial properties it has been preferred throughout history for both kitchen utensils and decorative items.

The museum displays numerous telkari artifacts from the Byzantine Roman Ottoman and Republican periods. The collection consists of rare pieces reflecting thousands of years of tradition in Anatolia and Mesopotamia. The museum also houses a dedicated telkari production workshop where visitors can observe the production process and purchase finished pieces.

The production workshop within the museum provides visitors with hands-on demonstrations of telkari manufacturing techniques. In addition it offers master-apprentice based training programs to ensure the transmission of the telkari art to future generations.

The telkari art has been passed down through generations via the master-apprentice relationship. Although its commercial importance has declined due to mechanization its historical and cultural value has increased leading to the development of various preservation methods. In this context a geographical indication certificate for telkari was obtained from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 9 August 2021. Furthermore the museum has been included in the Inventories of Intangible Cultural Heritage at provincial and national levels (01.0055).

The Mardin Telkari Museum hosts exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. Visitors can participate in temporary exhibitions workshops and presentations introducing the culture of telkari.

The museum undertakes various research and development projects to ensure the continuity of the telkari art and to preserve its cultural heritage. Efforts are also made to promote regional art at national and international levels.