Sevan Bıçakçı: Istanbul’s King of Rings

 @ sevanbicakci.com

During my brief stay in Istanbul on the way back to Tbilisi from a visit home to England I visited the atelier of renowned Turkish jeweller Sevan Bıçakçı. Sadly, like the first time I visited it another stay in Istanbul in 2021, Bıçakçı wasn’t there, but I did get to sit down with his Creative Director, Emre Dilaver. My new piece for The Caspian Post.

Sevan Bıçakçı is a name that echoes throughout the world of fine jewellery. Renowned for his impeccable craftsmanship, Bıçakçı’s masterpieces are created using the intricate intaglio reverse carving technique, which involves painstakingly carving details into precious stones from underneath, creating a breath-taking sense of depth when viewed from above. His attention to detail is unparalleled, with some pieces taking months to complete, and are coveted by collectors and celebrities alike.

 

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Walking into his five-story atelier in Istanbul, with ornate oriental knives as door handles, it is clear that the city’s vibrant culture, rich history, and stunning architecture have undoubtedly influenced Bıçakçı’s creations. Replete in its charm and history, the city is the perfect setting for an artist like Bıçakçı, who effortlessly combines centuries old traditional techniques with modern innovation to create timeless works of art with Ottoman and Byzantine influences.

  

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“Sevan is a genius,” says Bıçakçı’s Creative Director, Emre Dilaver, as we sit in the atelier’s viewing room, just a stone’s throw from Kapalıçarşı, Istanbul’s renowned Grand Bazaar. “His jewellery is pretty much like Istanbul, layer upon layer and he does that in an incredible way. He doesn’t compare to anyone else. It’s about representing the culture—elements of the culture that we started to miss today. We want to remember it and create jewellery so that not only us, everyone else can remember.”

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In 2009, Bıçakçı won a prestigious Jameel Prize established by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, which awards artists who explore Islamic influences through contemporary arts and crafts. Though highlighting how creativity knows no race or religion, this was all the more significant because not only is Bıçakçı a non-Muslim, but he is also a Turkish citizen of ethnic Armenian origin. 

The full article can be read here.