Shebeke Workshop

Within the walls of the Sheki Fortress, take a moment to visit a shebeke workshop, where you can witness the breathtaking mosaic created from thousands of tiny pieces of colored glass assembled into wooden lattice windows of all shapes and sizes. In this cozy family workshop, you can observe the intricate process and, if you wish, try your hand at crafting your own shebeke window.

The term “shebeke” translates from Azerbaijani as “net,” referring to the intricate patterns made from colored glass and wooden strips, assembled without the use of nails or glue. Often compared to stained glass, shebeke is characterized by its vibrant glass components.

One of the most renowned shebeke artisans in Sheki is Tofiq Rasulov, who learned the craft from his father and has been practicing it for 45 years. “I learned from my father as a child. He was a famous master in his time and even participated in the restoration of the Palace of the Sheki Khans in the 1950s. I myself took part in subsequent restoration projects at the palace,” he shares.

According to Tofiq, the most crucial aspect of their work is precision. The process is time-consuming and involves several stages. Sometimes, creating a square meter of shebeke can take nearly two months of labor. Prices vary based on the complexity of the pattern. For instance, one square meter of shebeke may require 14,000 wooden and glass pieces, or sometimes significantly fewer, which affects the overall cost.

“When making shebeke, we primarily use pieces of pistachio wood that are 5 cm thick and glass imported from Russia. First, the wood is boiled for 15-20 days to evaporate the sap. It is then dried for a month. Once the strips are sufficiently dried, we can begin work. Each piece involves 7-8 operations. After preparing the necessary components, we cut the glass and start creating the shebeke. We work without nails or glue, weaving the pieces together. This is a very labor-intensive process that requires immense patience. A deviation of just 1 mm can ruin the entire work. We strive to work carefully and precisely, with jeweler-like accuracy. In the shebeke at the Palace of the Sheki Khans, there were pieces we worked on with tweezers. Just imagine the meticulous nature of this work!”

Tourists visiting the Palace of the Sheki Khans often stop by Tofiq’s workshop, although his space for visitors is limited. “Unfortunately, I cannot accommodate all visitors in my small workshop. There is a plot of land next to my workshop, and I would love to open a gallery there to showcase my work. I would be delighted to display my creations and the antique pieces I have preserved for many years. Guests could also view photographs reflecting the history of the shebeke art.”