The Society For Promoting Turkish Handicrafts, Ankara

Just as the traditional arts seemed doomed to be forgotten, the Society for Promoting Turkish Handicrafts was established in 1953 by volunteer women who wanted to spend their free time in the context of traditional arts. Following approval by the Council of Ministers (number of issue: 4/12064, date of issue: 20th August 1959), it was recognized as a society working for public good.

Its objective is to maintain and preserve the traditional handicrafts, and create markets for those producing them. The society grants supportive loans to craftsmen who either have a workshop or who work at home. It also guarantees them raw materials when necessary. In cooperation with the ministries of Culture, Tourism, Foreign Affairs and Education, the society has held exhibitions of silver ornaments, Kirşehir stone-working, embroidery and folk dolls, and has helped to introduce new craftsmen and examples of such arts.

With the support of the ministries of Tourism and Promotion, Foreign Affairs and Commerce, the society has also organized several exhibitions abroad to promote Turkish handicrafts, and has received a number of awards, including two at the Florence Fair and a gold medal at the International Handicrafts Fair in Munich in 1973. The society’s ancient embroidery archive was exhibited in London’s “Museum of Mankind” for three months of 1981 and received considerable attention.

In 1983, the Ancient Embroidery Collection Exhibition at the State Painting and Sculpture Museum was visited by the Turkish president, who expressed his pleasure at it. The collection has been exhibited several times, both inside and outside Türkiye.

The slides in the collection were taken as part of a joint initiative between the society and the University of Eskişehir, whose rector Yilmaz Büyükersen made enormous contributions to it. Slides from the collection are available at the Museum of Ethnography.

Note: The society has a sales office in Karanfil Sok. 5/53. The society is run by a voluntary working administrative council comprising the president and four other members.

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING TURKISH HANDICRAFTS

The Society for Promoting Turkish Handicrafts was established in 1953 by ladies who had given their hearts to traditional handicrafts. Its objective is to maintain and preserve the skills of traditional Turkish crafts and promote them both inside and outside the country.
The society has organized exhibits of Turkish handwork at crafts fairs in various countries, winning gold medals and the respect and appreciation of the world public.

Permanent Exhibition and Sales Office

Address: The Society for Promoting Turkish Handicrafts

Tunali Hilmi Sok. No: 70/4
 
Kavaklıdere – Ankara

1) HANDCRAFTED COPPER

Copper objects in traditional shapes decorated with typical old Turkish designs are displayed with colourful hand-woven kilims from various parts of Anatolia.





2) TURKISH EMBROIDERY

Satin scarves and table linens are hand embroidered with traditional designs in multi-coloured silks and gold-wrapped thread.




3) ESKİŞEHİR SEPIOLITE

The famous sepiolite pipes and other objects are carved from blocks of sepiolite mined in the province of Eskişehir in Central Anatolia.







4) SILVER ACCESSORIES

Small boxes, mirrors and boxes are made of 800-900 grade silver and embossed by hand with old Turkish designs.







5) KÜTAHYA POTTERY

The designs on the vases, boxes, plates and mugs of the famous Kütahya pottery works are all drawn and painted by hand.
 





6) SILVER ORNAMENTS AND EMBROIDERY

Traditional Anatolian ornaments were reproduced in 1000 grade silver. All are hand-made.

Embroidery: Decorative needlework from Türkiye.



 

7) FILIGREE SILVER

Silver threads are twisted and sometimes combined with polished onyx obtained from Kırşehir.







8) KIRŞEHİR STONE
 
Stones with different colours and shapes are obtained from the mines of Anatolia. These stones are processed by lathe and by hand to create various forms of decorative objects.

 



9) SILVER JEVELRY

Belts, earrings, bracelets and brooches handmade from fine silver in old Turkish designs reproduced from the originals.


 



 

10) AN ASSORTMENT OF HANDICRAFTS

Decorative wall panels embellished with traditional Turkish rug and carpet designs. Traditional old Turkish ornamentation and pearl decoration on wooden objects.
 




 

11) BEADS FROM BODRUM AND PENDANTS

Various ornaments made from glass in Bodrum. Enamel on copper and necklaces made of Kırşehir stone. All hand-made.


 





12) OBJECTS FROM KIRŞEHIR STONE

Examples of Kırşehir stone in brown, yellow, green, gray and beige.




 

13) WOOL SOCKS WITH MOTIFS
Socks, hats, gloves and mittens are hand-knitted from lambswool and mohair.
Hand-made baskets.


 





14) WROUGHT-IRON COPIES OF HITTITE SYMBOLS

Wrought iron copies of Hittite symbols. Bags embossed with golden threads, characteristic of Maraş.