The homeland of the evil eye bead - nazar boncugu - talismans is Anatolia.
These masters of glass produce the magic objects of a universal belief with an amazing technique. This art has changed very little since thousands of years. The 3000 years old antique Mediterranean glass art lives in these eye bead furnaces with its every detail
The roots of the very few glass evil eye bead masters that still practice this ages old tradition goes back to the Arabian artisans who have settled in Izmir and its towns during the decline of the Ottoman Empire by the end of 19 Th century. The glass art that has lost its glamour in Anatolia, combining with the eye sign, was enlivened. The masters who practised their arts at Araphan and Kemeralti, districts of Izmir, were exiled due to the disturbance of the smoke from their furnace and risk of fire in the neighbourhood.
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The evil eye bead - nazar boncugu - masters, with their eyes focused on the glass work with their steel rods fast but without any hurry. As if they are silently playing a game we do not know.
Today, the real evil eye beads are produced only in Görece and Kurudere villages near Izmir, by a handful of craftsmen that have devoted their lives to this art.
Today, the real evil eye beads are produced only in Görece and Kurudere villages near Izmir, by a handful of craftsmen that have devoted their lives to this art.
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After so many years in front of the gleaming fire, the masters turn into suffering dervishes.In the compartments of the furnace, there is liquid glass that has taken the colour of the fire. Soon this liquid will be enlivened by the skilled hands of the evil eye bead masters. |
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This is an indicator of the high technology in building such furnaces from fire brick, clay and straw. The clay plaster over the furnaces that reach a great heath every day provides a high insulation as well protecting the whole structure from falling apart. Pine wood is especially preferred for the high temperature it provides. It also leaves very little ash and gives a certain shine and transparency to the glass.
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