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Sivas
Two of the outstanding handicrafts that introduced Sivas to the world are carpet weaving and cigarette holder carving.
In addition to these, weaving rugs, weaving Tülüce and Gürün Shawls, copper works, silver artisanship, manufacturing pocket blades, and knives, combs and knitting socks are other well-established handicrafts.
Sivas knives, Sivas cigarette holders, pens, bone combs, and handmade Sivas silver products are preferred by visitors as souvenirs.
Handmade Cigarette Holders
The handicraft, known as "Carving Cigarette holders" dates back to the 1800s. Tree types called "Germişek" or "Karamuk" are used in the production of handmade Sivas cigarette holders.
Carvers of cigarette holders in Sivas also produce souvenirs such as pens, pencil holders, crochet handles, candlesticks, and minaret models. "Sivas Memoir" or personal names are inscribed on the produced cigarette holder and pen using fine colored silks.
Sivas Carpets
Sivas carpets are the elaborate products of an ongoing tradition and original work since the Seljuk era (13th century). The most distinctive features of Sivas carpets are the fineness of the yarn used, the originality of the interior dyeing, the mastery of weaving, the excess number of loops, and the harmony of the motifs, patterns, and colors.
Silver Artisanship
Silver artisanship is a profession that is carried out with determination and patience. The raw silver goes through a long journey until it becomes a vase, a plate, a chest, a necklace, a ring, an earring that emerges at the end of this patience. The master subjects the silver plate in layers and in different thicknesses to "anneal" at a high temperature and take the hardness off the silver. When the "annealing" on the plate is finished, it can now be cut to the desired dimensions and further processed. The next job is up to the skill of the master.
Sivas Knives
Sword type knives, vineyard knives, large bread knives, one, two, three-edged or razor-type knives are generally produced in the knife workshops in the city. The city's black-handled knives are especially famous. The blades of pocketknives and knives are made of steel called "barrel" and the handles are made of animal horns.
The horns of ox, goat, and rams are mostly used for the handle of a knife. The horn is cut to the desired size, straightened in a vice utilizing heat treatment, and then, molded. The inside is carved with a saw.
Sivas Rugs
Rug weaving is mostly developed in villages. Commonly used rugs are known by names such as side rug, kebir medium rug, sackcloth rug, camel hair rug, embroidered rug, red and white rug.
Şarkışla rugs are famous around Sivas. Patterns and motifs are rectangular or rhombic. In addition to vegetable and animal motifs, geometric and symbolic motifs are also used in rugs around Sivas. Yellow, green, blue, black and orange are the most common colors.
The fact that Sivas rugs are woven entirely from wool, the warp being dense and careful avoidance of knots or joints in the warp are features that increase their value.
Sivas Bone Combs
Sivas bone combs are made of ram, buffalo, and ox horns. First, the bone is roughly cut and then corrected according to the shape of the comb to be made. Notches are opened on the straightened bone and the ends are sharpened by filing. The bone comb, which has been polished as a finishing process, is now ready for use.
Bone combs are known to prevent dandruff and electrification in hair. Horn combs, carved combs, women’s combs, men's combs, beard combs, bag combs are among types of bone combs. Recently, bone clasps, envelope openers, dinner spoons, tea plates, and pendants are also produced using animal horns.