Sivrihisar İncili Küpe

Sivrihisar İncili Küpe is a traditional piece of jewelry unique to the Sivrihisar district of Eskişehir, entirely crafted by hand. Pearls adorned with gold or silver beads are combined in a floral design. The red stone at the center symbolizes “fire,” the blue stone at the top represents the “evil eye,” and the surrounding pearls signify “purity and cleanliness.” This art, passed down from generation to generation by local jewelers, embodies a cultural value deeply associated with the region.

^{Sivrihisar İncili Küpe} (Turkish Patent)

The tradition of the Sivrihisar İncili Küpe dates back to the 16th century and has been preserved to the present day through the work of local jewelers. It became an integral part of wedding rituals, following the custom of the groom presenting the earrings to the bride, which were then placed in her dowry chest. Production of the earrings is carried out exclusively by artisans in Sivrihisar and is protected by a distinctive hallmark.

• Original designs are typically made from 22-karat gold, while 14-karat gold or 925 sterling silver are also used for more economical variations.
• Sizes vary through combinations of 12, 10, and 8 gold beads with pearls.
• A pair of earrings consists of approximately 180 to 250 individual components assembled together; production takes about two days.

1. Bead Making: Disc-shaped sheets are hollowed out, shaped into hemispheres, and joined using welding.
2. Mirror Making: Handcrafted molds are used to create mirrors, to which spindles and adjustment plates are added.
3. Assembly and Decoration: Spiral connectors called “kurtçuklar” are attached to the beads via U-shaped wires. Pearl threads are then added to complete the decoration.
4. Mengeç Making: Drop-shaped settings are soldered with mengeç wires; finally, colored stones are added to ensure overall cohesion.

The entire production process must take place within the boundaries of Sivrihisar. This original technique is applied exclusively by local artisans. Oversight is coordinated by the Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce, with inspections conducted at least once a year, in addition to responses to complaints or specific needs. Evaluation is carried out using a 14-point checklist covering technical compliance, production standards, and proper use of the hallmark.