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| Home and office accesories are largely made from silver. |
A three-story building on the shores of Beylerbeyi with an inspiring Bosphorus view is the Urart workshop. For over 30 years, Urart has been teaching the world about the cultural and historical wealth of Anatolia. Filiz Vural, the head designer, gave us a brief background to the origins of Urart's Anatolian designs.
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Adam and Eve's accessories
Archaeologists have found Anatolian jewellery in Stone Age graves. The materials used include bone, teeth, horn, stone, copper and other metals. Anatolian designs remain relevant and contemporary even today. An interest in jewellery is not limited to women. Aegean men used to wear rings and garlands, and Western men used to wear chokers, earrings, bracelets and rings.
The creation of a collection
Urart was formed in 1972 with an aim to strengthening the bond between Anatolia's past and present. At first, unique pieces of jewellery reflecting various cultures and arts were produced. In 1985, the numbers and variety were increased and a collection was born. Home-office accessories were added. Since 1988, Urart works with the Istanbul Archaeological Museums. First, a civilisation is chosen and the design group examines archives and pieces from that period at the Istanbul Archaeological Museums. Its history, culture, art, architecture and lifestyle are echoed in the pieces. The designs are worked on paper for 4-5 months. The metals and stones are chosen.
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| The process of flattening a cast object. |
Computers are good for plain models
Plain models are 3D computer images, and complicated ones are made from plastic. In the metal workshop, the settings are made, the stones placed, the units connected and the piece polished. A collection of 100 pieces takes about a year to complete.
Agate, diamond wood or marble
18-carat white and yellow gold, semi-precious stones such as agate, topaz, tourmaline and precious stones such as diamond, emeralds, sapphire and aquamarine are used in the jewellery. The home-office accessories are made mainly from silver, but marble, wood, steel, granite, bronze, glass, porcelain and ebony are also used. Black diamonds and blackened yellow gold are used in this collection. Urart's "Lenc" necklace won second prize at the 2001 International South Sea Pearls Competition. Address: Abdi İpekci Cad. 18/1 Nisantasi. Tel: 0212-246 71 94 Swissôtel The Bosphorus Tel: 0212-259 02 21.
