Turkish handmade products such as carpet, lacework (Turkish oya), embroidery and handmade dolls have a very important place in Turkey’s traditional handicrafts.
LACEWORK
Lacework (Turkish oya), also known edging, which appears all over Anatolia in various forms and motifs, has different names depending on the means employed: needle, crochet hook, shuttle, hairpin, bead, tassel to name just a few. Sewing needle lacework is a variety that was produced by affluent, aristocratic, urban women.
The most beautiful examples of such lacework, which are usually made with a sewing needle using silk thread.
CARPET
Carpet, too, serves a religious purpose, artistically in its designs and functionally in its use in mosques. Carpet is woven from wool, cotton, silk, or a blend, and styles vary by region.
EMBROIDERY
Embroidery is a form of art that reflects the Turkish society’s cultural richness, strength and talents totally. Embroidery has arisen from the taste of ornamenting daily objects or clothing.
Turkish embroidery has a 2000 year history and the oldest sample belongs to the Seljuk period.
Embroideries are done by applications of threads like silk, wool, linen, cotton, metal etc with various needles and application techniques on to materials like felt, leather, and woven fabric etc.
HANDMADE DOLLS
Dolls, which reflect Ottoman and Anatolian peoples’ clothing and living styles, are created in a manner reflecting their origins and by using regional fabrics. No kind of molder is used in producing dolls, which are totally shaped by hand and made of wood, cotton, fabric etc.
