What is Coppersmith?

Coppersmithing develops by making items from copper. Coppersmithing is a handicraft. This
handicraft has been made in different ways throughout history. It is carefully prepared and
handcrafted by coppersmiths. Copper has been used in many areas since its discovery. It has made
human life easier throughout history.

History of Coppersmith

The discovery of copper dates back to many years. The first findings as evidence for the discovery of
mining were found in Çayönü in Anatolia 10 thousand years ago. Later on, findings were found
regarding the production of copper and refining processes in Çatalhöyük. The first region where
copper is prepared for processing is stated as Çatalhöyük and Çayönü in Anatolia. As a result of the
research done here, the findings were found. As a result of the excavations, it was seen that many
items were made by processing natural copper in BC. These items consist of ornaments, needles and
hooks made by forging technique.

The items found in the researches explain the first place and date of processing of copper. Copper
has been used in every field throughout history. Many works have been obtained by using the
forging technique. Another technique used for coppersmithing in history is casting. Casting is a
technique found after the forging technique. Coppersmith has developed with the diversification of
forging techniques. Forging varieties and forging tools have been developed.

It is understood from the many works that have survived until today that there were advanced
coppersmith workshops working with various techniques in Anatolia during the Hittite, Urartu,
Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. Copper work reached its peak as a result of the
operation of copper deposits in Anatolia and later in Balkans during the Ottoman period. New
workshops were opened in many centers. Konya, Mardin, Hasankeyf, Diyarbakır, Cizre, Harput,
Erzincan and Erzurum are the settlement areas where workshops were opened during the Seljuk
period.

Production Process of Coppersmith

The production of coppersmith consists of different stages. These are called forging, scraping, staple
forging. Forging technique is the oldest and most frequently used technique. Copper is annealed in
the furnace for easy processing.

In this way, the copper softens. In this way, it is easier to process. After the annealing process, the
softened copper is hit with a hammer. With this process, the sheet is shaped. Copper is shaped as
desired with hammer blows. At the same time, the master who prepared the copper gives his own
unique pattern.

Forging

Copper is shaped by forging technique. This process is hitting with hammer. During this process, it is
continuously rotated, beaten and ensured to be of the same thickness.

Scraping

During this process, the material is shaped by scraping it with the help of iron rods in the form of
nails. Engraved coppers are called carved patterned. Coal is dusted and rubbed into the scraped
parts. This process is called savatli copper.

Staple Forging

The coppers prepared in this technique are decorated. It is made by hitting the shaped iron bars with
hammers. With this technique, embossed patterns are obtained. Different patterns and motifs are
engraved on copper items.

Coppersmith and his Duties

It is the person who shapes and decorates copper and other light metals with various tools, repairs
the worn ones, drills and connects the parts with rivets and drills.

o Selects, marks and cuts copper according to the item to be made
o Shapes copper by processes such as molding, bending or forging
o Drills the screw holes with a punch or a drill
o Assembles parts according to the drawing plan
o Smooths rough surfaces
o Makes tin if the item needs to be tinned
o Performs necessary repairs

Tools and Materials Used in Coppersmithing

o Cutting machine
o Bending machine
o Curling machine
o Polishing machine
o Hammers and mallets
o Machining tools
o Screws, bolts and nuts
o Meter
o Scissors
o Hand saw and chisels
o Drill
o Staple
o Caliper

Coppersmith's Uses

Items made in coppersmithing have been used in many areas from past to present. It was generally
produced as kitchen utensils, various tools and ornaments. Today, items made in coppersmithing are
generally made as souvenirs. People buy copper items as gifts to their loved ones and use them as
ornaments.

Coppersmithing is one of the arts that tends to be forgotten today. The profession of coppersmith
lived its golden age in the 1960s, but today, coppersmithing is much lower than in the past.
Coppersmithing is among the Turkish handicrafts that should not be forgotten and should be
continued.