Cetin Emin Revives Rare Naht Art, Combining Ottoman Calligraphy with 3D Woodcarving

Cetin Emin from the town of Zavet near Razgrad, Northeastern Bulgaria, is reviving a little-known art form through the Naht technique, which combines calligraphy and three-dimensional woodcarving, Emin told BTA in an interview on Wednesday.

He said he practices an Ottoman Islamic art that dates back to the 15th century and expresses praise to the Almighty through calligraphic elements embedded in carved panels.

“This is a largely forgotten art. The technique is specific. It is called Naht art and transforms calligraphic elements into 3D motifs,” he said. Velvet must be used as the background. He mainly works with walnut, cherry and linden wood, and in some pieces incorporates mother-of-pearl and silver.

Emin started practicing the craft as a hobby six years ago but says it has since become part of his life. He admitted there was a moment when he considered giving it up because it is highly specialized and appreciated by few people today. “The main message is that these are not only aesthetic works. They are charged with exceptional spirituality,” he said.

According to Emin, the work of a Naht master begins with prayer and ritual purification. Throughout the entire process, special praises to the Almighty are recited, and the finished piece is completed with a final prayer addressed solely to the Almighty.

Emin is presenting his works in an exhibition arranged at the Ibrahim Pasha Mosque in Razgrad. "This exhibition has been prepared over several years, and the occasion for its opening is the upcoming holy month for Muslims, the month of Ramadan. I believe the timing I have chosen is very appropriate, as the spirituality carried by these panels, or 'Dhikr' as it is called, is an important message for all people, for a spiritual world, for spiritual peace for each of us. The exhibition consists of nine panels that I have selected. Most of them have already been donated to the mosque. Others are awaiting their future owners," Emin said.

All the panels in the exhibition are equipped with QR codes providing information about the spiritual content and the history of the work.