Silversmith workshops in Rashayya all but disappeared because of government’s neglect

In its issue of today, As Safir daily published a feature shedding light on the traditional silver craft industry that flourished in Rashayya Al Wadi during the rule of the Shehab dynasty and remained buoyant throughout the Ottoman rule. The newspaper said that young generations of notable families such as the Shatila, Rassi and Ayoob learned the craft from Turkish masters and acquired an extensive experience which they developed, expanded and for which they sought markets. As Safir pointed out that the golden age of the industry started to decline in the second half of the last Century where the number of workshops shrank to almost three as a result of fierce foreign competition. Noting that in the late nineteenth century, the number of active silver workshop topped 19 craft-shops employing some fifty skilled craftsmen.

As Safir spoke to the owner of one of the three remaining workshops, Issam Al Moket, who described Rashayya as “the ‘mother’ of silver and gold manufacturing industry not only in Lebanon and Syria, but also in Canada and some European countries” where many Lebanese emigrants live. Al Moket underscored the distinctive features, accuracy and exquisiteness of the special silver products of Rashayya, while criticizing the fierce competition from products imported from Iran, Italy and Turkey. He lamented that these products were being dumped in the local markets and “are being sold at low prices because they are not handmade and do not cost much compared to traditional crafting”. He finally called for legislations that will protect domestic industries. (As Safir, February 18, 2016)