Syrian Handicrafts

The Damascus school for mother of pearl marquetry is famous worldwide for the prducing the finest furniture and other decorative pieces. The oak trees that were once abundant in the famous Orchards of Damascus together with oysters from the Euphrates river have supplied Damascene artisans over the centuries with all that they need for this handicraft. Today, the skills of Mother of Pearl marquetry are passed down from father to son, with many workshops in Damascus Old City still producing the finest Mother of Pearl inlays....

Find at: Al-Jandool, others

Syrian Handicrafts

The recent revival of old Damascene fashion, which had existed during the late Otoman Period, can be attributed to the numerous television shows covering that period. These popular TV shows that began in the 1990s have re-introduced Damascene fashion styles of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries to the public. As a consequence, this cultural revival has created enough demand for the art of making traditional Damascene clothing to flourish once again....

Find at: Mohammad Kheir Shkeir 

Syrian Handicrafts

The art of making this handmade textile with its distinctive gold and silver emboideries originated in Damascus more than 150 years ago. The Aghabani fabric was originally made out of natural silk that was abundant in Syria at the time. Nowadays, high quality Syrian cotton is more often used to make this beautiful fabric. Al-Aghabani is mostly used for table linens and certain clothing items....

Find at: Giovanni, others

Syrian Handicrafts

Damascene Brocade is a rich shuttle-woven fabric made from natural silk with gol and silver threads. The art of weaving this gorgeous fabric has flourished in Damascus for many decades. Damascene brocade has historically been used as a fabric for luxury clothing. Nowadays however, it is mainly used for furniture upholstery and other fashion accessories such as handbags. The best quality Brocade is a trademark of Damascus so much so that the reigning British monarch Queen Elizabeth II has had her wedding gown made out of it....

Find at: Bazaar Al-Khayat for Orientals, others

Syrian Handicrafts

According to archaeological discoveries in northern Syria, handmade pottery and eramics date back to as early the fifth millennium BC. This indigenous craft reached world fame during the Fatimid Period when some of the most intricate lusterware ceramic pieces were made in Syria. These pieces can be still seen today in many museums around the world. During the Mamluk Period, the Qishani ceramics became dominant but the craft kept evolving in Damascus to a stage where the ceramic work decorating various Damascene monuments was simply referred to as the Damascus Tiles. Works of Damascus Tiles can be seen today in museums as well as in many of the city’s monuments such as Al-Tekiya Al-Suleimaniya, Sinan Pasha Mosque and Darwish Pasha Mosque. ...

Find at: Raji Elias Pottery 

Syrian Handicrafts

Damascene Jewish artisans were known for making the finest copper engraved vesses. Initially produced to cater for household needs, these vessels along with other copper engraved items eventually turned into decorative pieces. Today and in spite of the technological advances in production processes, copper engraving as a handicraft is still present throughout Damascus Old City....

Find at: Jumaa Brothers Orientals, others

Syrian Handicrafts

The Ajami art of adding hand decorated wooden fixtures to ceilings and walls florished in the early era of the Umayyad Empire, when it was extensively used to decorate mosques and palaces. The Ajami decorative motifs usually depict illustrations of stories with emphasis on patterns of vegetation and hand writing. This Damascene handicraft is still thriving today with much of its products being exported to Arab and Islamic countries....

Find at: Oriental Palace 

Syrian Handicrafts

Despite the huge technological advances in steel production, modern attempts to eproduce the legendary Damascus Steel have surprisingly failed. Damascus Steel with its distinctive pattern and properties had been forged exclusively in Damascus since the 3rd century for use in swords and daggers. The extremely strong, super sharp and highly flexible blades made out of this metal stunned the Crusaders when they attempted to capture Damascus in the 12th century. In addition to the extraordinary properties of the forged metal, Damascene metalsmiths had also perfected the art of decorating the weapons that were made out of it. Although the secrets of making Damascus Steel had been lost as mysteriously as they had been gained, ancient specimens of it are still found in museums and with private collectors. Today, decorated Damascene swords made out of normal steel are made and sold in Damascus Old City....

Syrian Handicrafts

Wooden musical instruments have been known in Syria since the Phoenicians times. In fact, the oldest historical musical notation was discovered in the ancient Phoenician city of Ugarit on the northern shores of the Syrian coastline. The art of making these instruments kept evolving until the middle of the 19th century when the Damascene Oud took its present form. Today, few Damascene artisans still make this highly sought after instrument, which is widely used in traditional Syrian and Arabic music. ...

Find at: Al-Salka, others

Syrian Handicrafts

An integral part of Old Damascene Clothing, the Tarboush is a red cylindrical hedwear which the Syrians had adopted from the Ottomans in the early 18th century. The headwear, a sign of social status, had been still in use up until the middle of the 20th century. Nowadays, artisans continue to make the Tarboush headwear along with other old Damascene clothing items both as souvenirs and for use in the hospitality industry....

Find at: Old Bazar, others

Syrian Handicrafts

Wooden clogs were once very popular among Damascenes. Today, they are only used n public baths. These clogs were made from walnut and willow trees that had existed abundantly along River Barada. Referred to in Arabic as “Qibqab”, the clogs were principally made and sold in Souq Al-Qabaqbiya in Damascus Old City. A beautiful Mother of Pearl inlay specimen of Damascene clogs used in traditional weddings is on display at Al-Azem Palace....

Find at: Mohammad Khair Yassin Al-Sawaf, others

Syrian Handicrafts

The art of glass blowing is a very interesting and enjoyable process to watch, a it involves a high level of skill and a beautiful finished product at the end. The process was developed by the Phoenicians in ancient Syria and has relatively remained unchanged throughout the ages. Damascus remains home to this ancient craft today with many blowers still producing the finest of glassware....

Find at: Aram, others