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| Story | Websites |
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Arts | Food |
| Cities | Proverbs |
| Damascene Steel |
| Syrian Embroidery |
| Brass / Copper |
| other
works of art:
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| woodwork |
| copper |
| mosaic |
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Fabric / Damask |
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Pattern welding or Damascening, the traditional method for making decorative patterns on forged products, originated some hundred years before Christ. Early examples from the Orient show patterns resultant from the metallurgical processes used at ancient time. Later, melting and forging were developed so that skilful forge masters of around 500 AD could make the most artistic products by pattern welding. The possibilities of combining a hard edged material with a tough backing material were used. The magical image of the patterns made the owner feel invincible. Steel pieces of at least two different compositions (Carbon or Phosphorous), were welded together and then kneaded by forging, producing a laminated material of about 100 layers. The patterns were made visible by etching the metal surface. |
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Embroidery - This is one of the most important
traditional crafts of Syrian women and one which has, in recent years, been
incorporated into high fashion. Elegant gowns and jackets have been
created using traditional needlework together with rich, Middle Eastern
fabrics. This art of embroidery has been carried over into the making of cushions, which grace the decor of many Syrian homes. Colors range from shades of red, maroon, purple and pink, with bright additions of green, orange and gold. Simple cross-stitch is the basis for a plethora of complicated designs and recurring motifs include trees, flowers, feathers, waves and geometric zig-zags or triangles. Since the 1930's a very fine cotton thread has been sold in the Near East by the French firms which used to buy it from Syria. The most frequently used types of stitch in Syrian embroidery are fine cross-stitch, running stitch, chain stitch and others. The famous dresses of the Syrian districts of Daraa and Sweida are usually decorated with varied embroidery techniques by cotton bars in various colors. |
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These are mortars, oil lamps or bowls, cast in bronze with copper inlay, from the area ruled by the East Iranian dynasty of the Samanids and the dynasty of the Ghasnavids who had their residence at Ghasni in what is now Afghanistan. From there this decorative technique spread westwards. The town of Mosul in present-day Iraq, Damascus, and to a lesser extent Cairo were centres of production for such metal goods in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. They were highly prized throughout the Islamic world. After the Mongol conquest of Mosul in the thirteenth century the centre of production of inlaid metalwork shifted to Damascus.
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 Syrian lamp |
 copper trays with walnut tray stand |
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Other works of art.... |
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 wood panel Mastaba |
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 walnut table |
 walnut folding chair |
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 chest drawer - mother of pearl inlay on wood |
 game table |
 comfort armchair |
 sultan chair |
 printed box |
 mosaic table |
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