In the heart of Istanbul’s bustling Eminonu Grand Bazaar, where the vibrant hues of Turkish carpets blend with the glow of golden ore, we found Sevan İskenderoğlu, a master jeweler who embodies his Armenian-Turkish identity in his authentic craftsmanship, portraying the blend between his Armenian heritage and rich cultural and historical tapestry of Anatolia.
Sevan’s ancestry holds deep-rooted cultures and histories, stretching back to the Armenian Kingdom and the ancient Anatolian civilizations. “Armenians were the first people in the world to convert to Christianity under the pressure of the kings,” Sevan mentioned when tracing back his roots. “From that day till today, religion has had a great influence on our culture and lifestyle.” Sevan’s connection to his religion holds a great place when it comes to preserving his culture and traditions, he continued to explain.
Although individuals with an Armenian background are known for their jewelry craftsmanship, Sevan was born into a family with no ties to the craft. “It was not my father’s profession,” he shares. “My father was born in Istanbul, and my mother is from Kayseri. Even my mother was a pastırma (pastrami) maker in Kayseri at that time.” As a young child, Sevan found himself wandering into the Grand Bazaar feeling mesmerized by the lustrous gold he had seen and eventually decided that he wants to enter the goldsmith market himself.
Despite not having an elder to lead him through the career like others in the Armenian usually do, Sevan still managed to find his way into this craftsmanship that some Armenians feel “runs in their blood”. For Sevan, the art of jewelry is not just a technical skill, it is a sacred craft that honors the legacy of his ancestors. “Jewelry craftsmanship is not as simple as it seems, there are unique styles and techniques which are only taught by Armenians to Armenians. These are people who began working as “jewelers” even when all they had was copper.” Sevan explains.
Throughout their career, Sevan and other Armenian craftsmen have ensured working in a tight and trusted community to ensure that they keep up the same values that had been preserved for centuries in the trade. “Our business is based on trust,” he emphasizes. “Because it is based on trust, no one we don’t know can work for us.” This commitment to integrity and reliability reflects the focus of Armenian craftsmanship, where every piece is created with a sense of authenticity and responsibility. As we spoke, Sevan also passionately explained to us about the symbolism of certain designs such as the Arevakhach and Christian religious designs on jewelry.
Sevan went on to mention the current competition arising between Armenian jewelers and workers coming from Thailand to work in the jewelry and gold industry. “These workers are fast and work for cheap, which is why they are getting employed. However, they do not have the expertise or know enough about the craftsmanship to sustain their jobs,” Sevan said. This leads Sevan to believe that the only craftsmen who will remain in the jewelry markets are mainly Turks and Armenians.
For Sevan, multiculturalism isn’t just a concept; it’s a lived experience that enriches his daily life. “Being Armenian does not affect my daily life in Turkey. Our Armenian-Anatolian culture is actually very similar to the Anatolian Turks, we were just taught to separate as we got older, and then we realized that there is no difference between us.” Sevan remarked.
As Sevan looks towards the future, he remains hopeful about passing on his craft to future generations. “I would love to be able to pass it on,” he shares with a sense of pride. “In the electronic age, products are progressing a little more mechanically with three-dimensional printers and such technologies, but there are still young people who come to the Grand Bazaar and want to learn like I did. Not just Armenians, but also Turkish youth, we help them all.” In Sevan’s eyes, his craftsmanship is something to be protected and a symbol of pride for the Armenian nation in Istanbul.
In Sevan İskenderoğlu’s story, we find a journey of resilience, creativity, and cultural harmony. Across centuries and continents, his craftsmanship serves as a testament to the enduring power of multiculturalism to bridge divides and unite communities. As we celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that define our world, may we draw inspiration from artisans like Sevan, whose passion for their craft transcends borders and generations, embodying the timeless spirit of Anatolian artistry and craftsmanship.