Sivrihisar Sarkası

Sivrihisar sarkası is a traditional garment produced in the Sivrihisar district of Eskişehir province, crafted on wool, cotton, velvet, or sof fabric using embroidery techniques with sequins, metallic thread, beads, and paillettes in a cepken style.

Product Profile and Geographical Indication Type

Sivrihisar sarkası belongs to the category of handcrafted products. It has been registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office as a "mahreç işareti". A mahreç işareti identifies a product that is distinctly associated with a specific geographical area due to its unique qualities, reputation, or other characteristics, and requires at least one stage of production to take place within the defined geographical region.

Product Definition and Distinctive Features

Sivrihisar sarkası is a cepken with a narrow fitted collar, long sleeves, and an open front, with a length reaching the waistline or shorter. One of its distinctive features is the lining, made from a silk and cotton blend fabric known locally as "hera". The embroidery technique involves applying cords formed by twisting metallic thread using a specialized fastening method. Another distinguishing trait is the absence of embroidery along the underarm seam. Various motifs are used in the embroidery, incorporating colors such as red, purple, navy blue, cherry red, and black. Traditionally, Sivrihisar sarkası is worn as a set with savayi şalvar (pesent), an undershirt (dikolta-dekolte), and a belt.

The embroiderer inscribes the date of completion at the center of the main motif on the back of the sarka. The unembroidered fabric left around the motif’s edges forms a contour that outlines the design. The embroidery thread is predominantly silver in color. One tassel, called "tura", is attached to the front chest area and another to the center of the back as decorative elements. Additionally, three tassels known as "tura" are suspended from the back of the garment. Depending on the motif used, three types of sarka are recognized in the region: apple sarka, pear sarka, and swallow sarka.

Production Method

All stages of Sivrihisar sarkası production are carried out within the defined geographical boundary of the Sivrihisar district. The production method consists of the following steps:

1. Design and Embroidery Preparation: A design is created on black fabric using metallic thread embroidery. A cardboard circle with a diameter of 15–16 cm is used as a template during embroidery.
2. Embroidery Technique: The embroidery is executed using the "blogna needle" technique. The motifs are densely stitched so that the underlying fabric is not visible; any remaining open areas are filled with paillettes and beads. No embroidery is applied along the underarm seam or on the underarm flap.
3. Motif Embroidery: Sword motifs are embroidered on the front, pear motifs on the back, and apple motifs on the sleeves.
4. Tassel (Tura) Attachment: Three tassels known as "tura" are hung from the back. Additionally, one tassel is attached to the center of the front chest and another to the center of the back for decorative purposes.
5. Assembly and Ironing: After embroidery is completed, all parts are pressed from the reverse side and then sewn together. The sleeves are attached straight to the body without shaping or darts.
6. Binding Sewing: The front edge, collar, sleeve openings, sleeve cuffs, and hem of the sarka are bound with "kaytan"—a thick metallic thread strip, typically embroidered with yellow sequins in two or three rows.
7. Lining and Completion: The interior is lined with "hera", the silk-cotton blend fabric, after which the sarka is considered complete.
8. Storage: When stored, Sivrihisar sarkası is not folded to prevent the sequins from touching each other; instead, it is placed inside a long protective sleeve or wrapped in a bundle.

Geographical Origin and Boundaries

The geographical boundary of Sivrihisar sarkası is defined as the Sivrihisar district of Eskişehir province. The production method, materials used, and the transmission of craftsmanship across generations define the product’s association with the Sivrihisar region under the geographical indication framework.

Registration Process and Details

The application for the geographical indication of Sivrihisar sarkası was submitted by the Sivrihisar Municipality. The application, numbered C2021/000310, was filed on 11 August 2021. Following the evaluation process, the product was officially registered as a "mahreç işareti" on 5 July 2022 under registration number 1161. The registrant’s address is recorded as Cumhuriyet Mahallesi, Süleyman Demirel Caddesi No:1, Sivrihisar, Eskişehir.