Turkish embroidery has developed over centuries and is an indispensable part of Turkish culture. Embroidery can be found on almost any fabric, including cloth, linen, silk, satin, velvet and leather. In Ottoman times, clothing for men and women was embroidered with silver or gold threads and these heavy garments were worn for important ceremonies such as a woman’s henna night before marriage. For daily use, clothing was usually embroidered with only silk or cotton threads.
There are several types of embroidery, which can be single or double-sided depending on the technique used. Among the different styles of embroidery are: hesap işi, gözeme, kesme, muşabak, süzeni, susma, pesent, sarma, balık kılçığı, balık sırtı, hasır iğnesi, mürver iğne, civan kaşı, ciğer deldi, çin iğnesi, iğne ardı, antep işi, kasnak işi, aplike, dival işleri, anavata, sırma and kaytan işleri. Embroidery is used on clothing such as felt caps, prayer rugs, shoes, scarves, shawls, jackets, robes, dresses and gowns. Household items are also often embroidered, including towels, tablecloths, house slippers, bedding sets and doilies used for covering shelves, televisions and anything else that might collect dust.
Motifs vary according to the region and personal taste of the artist. The main motifs are geometric designs, stylized animal figures, flowers (tulips, cloves, hyacinths, roses, and violets), fruits (grapes, pomegranates, pears, apricots, watermelons, and peaches), houses and natural scenes such as mountains and lakes.
In addition to traditional embroidery, certain styles of crochet and needlepoint are popular.
Traditionally, silversmiths were members of guilds that had very strict rules for training, apprenticeship and master craftsmen. The process to become a trained silversmith took years to complete. The master artisans who came from different parts of the Ottoman Empire brought their secrets and skills with them, which was eventually incorporated into the Ottoman styles. Popular techniques included intaglio, repousse, filigree, chasing, niello, embossing and metal plating. One of the more popular techniques was “murassa”, which was the art of embedding precious and semi-precious stones into the surfaces of swords, daggers, book covers, crystal and porcelain.
Today, the centers of silverwork include the Black Sea region, Mardin and small workshops hidden away near the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.
The abundance of natural resources required for tile and ceramic production were readily available and ensured that the products were of the highest quality. From items for everyday use in the home to decorative pieces that graced mansions and palaces, functional as well as ornamental ceramics had an important role in society. Iznik (formerly Nicaea) and Kütahya, both in Western Turkey, have been famous for centuries for quality of the ceramics they produce.
Now a world leader in ceramic production, Turkish producers make use of the latest technology for modern productions. The new creations are not only beautiful and imaginative, but also functional. Modern designs as well as the more traditional motifs are widely popular and grace tables and art collections in Turkey and across the globe.
There are several types of embroidery, which can be single or double-sided depending on the technique used. Among the different styles of embroidery are: hesap işi, gözeme, kesme, muşabak, süzeni, susma, pesent, sarma, balık kılçığı, balık sırtı, hasır iğnesi, mürver iğne, civan kaşı, ciğer deldi, çin iğnesi, iğne ardı, antep işi, kasnak işi, aplike, dival işleri, anavata, sırma and kaytan işleri. Embroidery is used on clothing such as felt caps, prayer rugs, shoes, scarves, shawls, jackets, robes, dresses and gowns. Household items are also often embroidered, including towels, tablecloths, house slippers, bedding sets and doilies used for covering shelves, televisions and anything else that might collect dust.
Motifs vary according to the region and personal taste of the artist. The main motifs are geometric designs, stylized animal figures, flowers (tulips, cloves, hyacinths, roses, and violets), fruits (grapes, pomegranates, pears, apricots, watermelons, and peaches), houses and natural scenes such as mountains and lakes.
In addition to traditional embroidery, certain styles of crochet and needlepoint are popular.
Traditionally, silversmiths were members of guilds that had very strict rules for training, apprenticeship and master craftsmen. The process to become a trained silversmith took years to complete. The master artisans who came from different parts of the Ottoman Empire brought their secrets and skills with them, which was eventually incorporated into the Ottoman styles. Popular techniques included intaglio, repousse, filigree, chasing, niello, embossing and metal plating. One of the more popular techniques was “murassa”, which was the art of embedding precious and semi-precious stones into the surfaces of swords, daggers, book covers, crystal and porcelain.
Today, the centers of silverwork include the Black Sea region, Mardin and small workshops hidden away near the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.
The abundance of natural resources required for tile and ceramic production were readily available and ensured that the products were of the highest quality. From items for everyday use in the home to decorative pieces that graced mansions and palaces, functional as well as ornamental ceramics had an important role in society. Iznik (formerly Nicaea) and Kütahya, both in Western Turkey, have been famous for centuries for quality of the ceramics they produce.
Now a world leader in ceramic production, Turkish producers make use of the latest technology for modern productions. The new creations are not only beautiful and imaginative, but also functional. Modern designs as well as the more traditional motifs are widely popular and grace tables and art collections in Turkey and across the globe.