Damascene copper masterpieces

Because of their traditional value, copper masterpieces still exist in the houses of Syrians, Arabs and foreigners and they have been owned by people to show them before guests.

The craft of engraving on copper is considered one of the most ancient traditional Damascene professions that dates back to hundreds of years .It is a craft that its workers love, so they did not let it die out, but rather they have used their creativity to preserve it through moving from making utensils to making antiques.

In Al-Nahhasen Souq [Coppersmiths Market] in Damascus, there are only 5 coppersmiths , who are still practicing this craft, according to the owner of a workshop there.

He told Syria times: “We are producing big vessels for factories that make Mlabbas [ sugar-coated almonds,] as sugar does not stick to the bottom of copper vessels.. Our products are also being used by shops that boil milk.”

The owner of the workshop, who preferred to speak anonymously, affirmed that copper products are still being exported to Arab countries.
Another worker in the workshop clarified that the copper sheets are purchased from Aleppo and they are being turned into utensils by using hammers and  steel graving pens.

The taste of food cocked in copper pots is more delicious than that  cooked in pots made of stainless steel. But the problems is in cleaning tarnished copper pots as they must be taken to a person in the same souq at lest once a month to be cleaned .

Engraving on copper requires great effort, patience and accuracy, and it takes 3-8 days to produce a single piece depending on the size of the piece and the method of engraving and the customer’s request.

In Medhat Pasha area and Qemareyeh area, there are many shops for selling copper masterpieces , such as Coffee Dallah, teapot, small glasses, chandeliers and brass trays.

An owner of a shop in Medhat Pasha area said: “Such products were attracting foreign tourists; however now they are bought by Syrian expatriates or the Syrians, who want to travel abroad as gifts….Some people ask to write words of wisdom on the copper piece or their names or a specific drawing of their own.”

He explained to us the steps of work: “ At the beginning, we select the piece that we want to work on and draw the initial lines, then we start engraving it, and after that, we define the outer frame of the drawing chosen by the customer, then we engrave the tracks and we dry the specified drawing to highlight it further. In the last step, the copper piece is polished with special materials to make it shiny.”

The price of the smallest copper piece is 75,000 Syrian pounds.

Despite the progress and technological development in the methods of manufacturing such antiques, the coppersmiths in the city of Damascus are still making them by their hands, and they have maintained their art and beauty.

Reported by : Basma Qaddour