Last masters keep 500-year-old pearl earring craft alive in Türkiye

Pearl earrings at Erkan Gürol’s workshop in Sivrihisar, Eskişehir, Türkiye(AA Photo)

Erkan Gürol, one of the few remaining masters of the geographically registered Sivrihisar pearl earring craft, continues to preserve this nearly extinct 500-year-old traditional art with patience and meticulous care at his workshop in Eskişehir’s Tepebaşı district in central Türkiye.

The 56-year-old craftsman, originally from the Sivrihisar district, began his apprenticeship at a young age, learning the art of making pearl earrings that have been passed down since the Ottoman era. After completing his military service, Gürol established his own workshop and has since dedicated over four decades to keeping the craft alive.

Gürol is among just two pearl earring masters still practicing this handicraft in the city. He carefully creates each pair of earrings, which consists of 186 separate pieces, entirely by hand. He is also teaching the craft to his 19-year-old son in hopes of passing the tradition to the next generation.

SOURCE: https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/last-masters-keep-500-year-old-pearl-earring-craft-alive-in-turkiye/news