15.08.2026 22:00
Hüseyin Altay, a jeweler in Eskişehir, explained the traditional knitting art known as 'Sivrihisar cebesi,' which dates back to the historical Phrygian period. Altay stated that they melt gold bullion and turn it into wire, adding, 'Completing one product takes about 3-4 days. Prices can exceed 1 million lira.'
Hüseyin Altay, who has been working as a jeweler in Eskişehir for about 25 years, said that they are trying to keep alive the traditional knitting art known as "Sivrihisar cebe," which dates back to the Phrygian period. Altay stated that this cultural heritage, produced entirely by handcraft, will not be affected by artificial intelligence and technology.
AFTER WORKING IN VARIOUS FIELDS, HE FOCUSED ENTIRELY ON THIS
Altay, who was born in Istanbul and continues the jewelry trade as his father's profession, stated that after middle school he left his education and entered business life, and after working in various fields over the years, he focused on the production of Sivrihisar cebe.
"THE ARMOR KNITTING USED BY SOLDIERS TURNED INTO JEWELRY"
Hüseyin Altay, stating that Sivrihisar cebe has a deep-rooted history, said, "It is said that this knitting has a history of about 1500-1600 years and dates back to the Phrygian period. When we examine samples from old cemeteries and our elders' chests, we encounter cebes that are hundreds of years old. The oldest example I have seen is about 300 years old. Sivrihisar cebe is a type of knitting similar to Trabzon cebe. The armor knitting used by soldiers in the past has turned into jewelry over time. We are trying to keep this cultural heritage alive."
PRODUCTION OF ONE CEBE TAKES 4 DAYS
Altay, emphasizing that Sivrihisar cebe is produced entirely by hand, said, "We melt the gold bullion and turn it into wire. Then, knitting, extraction, washing, combing, locking, polishing, buffing, and gilding processes are carried out. Completing a product takes about 3-4 days."
THE PRICE CAN EXCEED 1 MILLION LIRAS
Hüseyin Altay, stating that they predominantly use 22-karat gold in production, said that according to tradition, one of the bracelets bought for women getting married in Sivrihisar is definitely a Sivrihisar cebe. Noting that because gold is a valuable metal, this tradition is continued with 22-karat gold, Hüseyin Altay explained that the prices of the products vary according to their grammage and model, saying, "The cebes we make range on average between 600 thousand and 1 million liras. I know that for a special model using diamonds, a price of about 1 million 700 thousand liras is given."
"ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CANNOT END THIS PROFESSION"
Altay, stating that the profession is based entirely on handcraft, said that artificial intelligence and technology do not threaten the production of Sivrihisar cebe in jewelry, and said, "We work entirely with hand labor. This profession requires hand skill and mastery. As long as we continue to make young people love this work and teach the profession, I do not think that artificial intelligence and technology will end this profession."