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Traditional Turkish Arts and Crafts |
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Whenever I travel I look for items to bring home as a souvenir
of my visit. However, I normally skip the "tourist
traps" and look for those items that will really represent the country.
One of the major areas of shopping for me, therefore, is in the area of items or
goods that are traditional or historic to the area being visited. Turkey
is a wonderful place to find some excellent goods.
The wide variety of Turkish art offers unique and original materials for the
giftware market. Since the traditional handicrafts differ from city to city,
unique products can easily found. And, thanks to earlier civilizations,
Turkey has a rich treasure made of motives and different techniques.
The arts of working with mother of pearl, of marbling of decorating glassware
and ceramics of viewing carpets and rugs, and of jewelry - making have come till
today from thousands of years.
Click on the item of your interest and, let's go shopping!
Turkish Jewelry
Dolls
Glassware
Copper
Kilims and Carpets
Meerschaum
Mother of Pearl
Where to find the most interesting markets of Turkey
How to Shop the Markets and Bargaining
Traditional Shopping areas in Turkey
What About Customs and Duty?
Links for Shopping
TURKISH JEWELRY
Today's models in jewelry is often inspired by the examples
of traditional Anatolian Art. As once done before, semi - precious stones are
still used today. Some of them are red and black coral, turquoise, nacre,
pearls, rock crystal, amethyst, agate and chalcedony.
DOLLS
This is another ancient Anatolian art. The dolls truly
reflect all the traditional costumes. Authentically dressed dolls give us real
information about traditional and regional costumer, and they should not be
interfered with toys.
GLASSWARE
During the 19th century, Turkish glassware making
enjoyed its brightest period. It achieved its own unique style. In the decoration
of glassware , both gilding and enameling were used. The parsley, rose and carnation
motives were very popular as well as fruit forms.
Together with glassware, porcelain/ceramic manufacturing
became very important. Lovely examples were produced from 13th to 15th
century. The work that goes on today, a large part of manufacture of glassware
and porcelain is exported.
COPPER
The history of copper - making goes back at least ten
thousands years in Anatolia. Copper can be used to make pots, and trays as well
as, jewelry. The prepared copper material could be decorated with precious
stones, engraved, or inlaid decoratively.
KILIMS / CARPETS
Kilims are produced by passing colored yarns continuously through the warp and they are pileless tapestry. Anatolian kilims are very
beautiful and each one represents its own region. The motives are quite ancient
and symbolic. Anatolian carpets can be produced from wool cotton and silk
fibers. As well as in kilim making, carpets are decorated with traditional
patterns and motives. The principal types are : Bünyan, Ladik, Kula, Gördes,
Isparta and Hereke.
Also hand - knotted are still widely produced in Turkey. But
of course, machine made carpet industry is growing faster.
MEERSCHAUM
Because of its softness meerschaum materials is easily
worked. Owing to its porosity, it traps the nicotine in tobacco smoke and thus
is popular in making pipes and cigarette holders. Meerschaum is also used in
producing belt buckles, beads, necklaces and so on.
MOTHER OF PEARL
Mother of pearl or nacre is used in many different places in
the decorative arts. It is inlaid in wooden objects and in the architecture like
palaces and mosques. Sometimes it is used in musical instruments and the handles
of guns, pistols and swords.
Where to find the most interesting markets of Turkey
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
How to Shop the Markets and Bargaining
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Traditional Shopping areas in Turkey
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
What About Customs and Duty?
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Links
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
