THE ART OF SAVAT SILVER EMBROIDERY IN SIVAS AND AN EVALUATION OF THE WORKS OF BASRI DONMEZ, ONE OF THE LAST REPRESENTATIVES

Abstract

One of the techniques applied in jewelery, which is the art of producing jewelry and decoration with
precious metals and stones with various technical knowledge, hand skills, pleasure and aesthetics, is
savat silver embroidery. The history of silver work goes back to the periods before Christ. In
archaeological excavations vessels, jewelery, sword scabbards, wedge handles, coins and ornaments
were found, In the Dagestan region in Turkistan, Azarbeycan and Caucasus, especially Kumuk
Turks, are the important centers of savat art. Savat has survived from the time of the Ottoman
Empire to the present, has become a traditional art in Erzurum, Van and Sivas. Silver work is an
ongoing profession today despite the influence of technology. The Arabic word Sevad, means
darkening and blackness, is the name given to the pits opened on the banks of the streams to water
the animals in Turkish. Savatlama is a name given to the decoration made by filling and plastering a
black-colored solution made of lead, silver, copper and sulfur mines called savat after being carved
with a steel pen on silver and gold. In this study, Basri Dönmez, who has been trained in traditional
methods from father to son since 1932 in Sivas, is visited at his workshop and this art was evaluated
on the basis of his works. He prepares various forms from silver plates that is melted and rolled
with various techniques and materials and presents traditional motifs by engraving these forms on
them. Jewelry, belt and mouthpiece designs are made with niello embroidery. Leaf, fault, wheel of
fortune, rumi, fan, crescent-star and mosque motifs are embroidered on circle, oval, drop and
polygon forms. Dönmez makes different designs by synthesizing the techniques with today's tastes
and preferences, plays an important role in transferring this art to future generations with his brother
and also his latest student.