Five Reasons to Be Inspired by Handmade Turkish Artwork

When I began collecting Turkish handcrafted products several years ago to sell through Citara's, I found myself mesmerized by the depth of heritage both traditional and modern artists have to draw on for inspiration.

Needless to say I was inspired as well and wanted to share five reasons why ...


1. Color

Citara's Semi-Daisy Silver Pendant by Fatma Vardar

There are certain colors in handmade Turkish products that are rooted deep in its history. My favorites are crimson red, cobalt blue and turquoise. Masters who worked to develop formulas for these colors would often write the recipes in code to keep them a secret.


2. History

 Gold Hittite Medallion

Having been inhabited by civilization after civilization Turkey has a wealth of artistic heritage to draw from including (but not limited to) that of the Hittites, Assyrians, Phrygians, Lycians, Ionians, Persians, Selcuks, Byzantines, and Ottomans.


3. Method

Çini Artist, Meryem Cineviz

Many of the traditional artwork in Turkey is something that takes years to learn and years to complete - things like weaving, ebru (paper marbling), miniatures, caligraphy, ceramics and illumination. It is the kind of work that makes you sit down, focus, and get lost in the colors and patterns.


4. Detail

Ink, Colors and Gold on Paper from the Sabanci Museum Collection

Colors and methods are only part of what draws your attention, there is also the incredible detail in the patterns - the swirls, flowers, animals, shapes, repetition, geometry - it's intoxicating.


5. Story 

 İğne Oyası by Birsen Sönmez

And every piece has a story. The story of how it was made. The story of its history. The story of its rebirth in a modern age. And the story makes each piece so much more valuable and meaningful.


Oh, and how I enjoy learning those stories and sharing them with you.