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Traditional handicrafts such as kelkari woodworking and mother-of-pearl inlay are being kept alive in the western Turkish province of Izmir by master artisan Mehmet Agca, who continues his work amid growing concerns over the decline of interest in heritage crafts.
In the Menderes district of Izmir, Agca operates a workshop where he practices kelkari, a meticulous woodworking technique involving materials such as linden, walnut and hornbeam.
The craft requires precise handwork and a high degree of patience, with even minor errors capable of ruining days of labor.
“A single wrong hammer strike can erase days of work,” Agca said, emphasizing the precision demanded by the craft. “In this workshop, we shape not only wood but also ourselves.”
Agca also works in mother-of-pearl inlay, a traditional decorative technique that combines the natural iridescence of seashells with hardwood surfaces.
The process involves embedding fine silver wires into carved wooden bases, followed by the careful placement of mother-of-pearl fragments into prepared cavities.
When finished, the work produces reflective patterns that shift in color depending on lighting conditions.
Describing the technique, Agca noted that the material is both fragile and difficult to work with, requiring strong visual focus, steady hands, and significant experience to achieve consistent results.
Despite his continued dedication, the master artisan warned of a growing lack of apprentices interested in learning the craft.
He stated that the absence of new trainees poses a serious threat to the continuity of these traditional skills.
Local craftspeople and cultural observers also express concern that such art forms are at risk of disappearing without institutional support.
They argue that expanded vocational training programs and greater public investment are necessary to ensure the survival of Türkiye’s intangible cultural heritage.
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