Abstract
The concept of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was accepted by UNESCO in 2003, has also been accepted by the Turkish Parliament in 2006. Performances, narrations, knowledge, skills and related tools, equipment and cultural venues, which are products of cultural heritage, form the framework of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. There are five areas included in handicrafts, which is one of the major aspects of the contract. These are weaving, amulet for evil eye, filigree, coppersmith and public architecture. The filigree of Midyat, which is one of the major centers of filigree art in Anatolia with a history of 2500 years, still preserves its traditional features with the materials used, craftsmen conducting this art and the production processes. For many centuries jewelries, home accessories, souvenirs are being manufactured with the filigree art seen in Beypazarı, Trabzon and Mardin in Turkey. Filigree, which is identified with Midyat are generally performed by Syriac Christians in this area. Midyat filigree, which has a very elegant and pleasant view with a wire thinness of 22 microns, has an ancient history.
In this study, we have accessed three filigree masters, who are believed to be decent for the criteria of Living Human Treasures. We have adopted descriptive method to research and identify the current situation, and we have accessed masters who are trying to continue the traditional manufacturing method for Midyat filigree. The masters have been interviewed in their workshops in December 2020. In the interviews the masters were asked questions about the filigree art, its traditional features, techniques, current situation and its future. This study is important since it shows the traditional features of the filigree art, its current status and the thoughts of the masters about its future.