“NAKIŞ” – AN ANCIENT TURKISH HANDICRAFT
BEAUTY BORN FROM PAIN
I was born in 1948 in Adana Istanbul
Unfortunately, this handicraft collection came to life after the worst disaster I had to experience in my life. When I lost my most beloved son, the most precious being of my life as result of a deplorable accident, my whole world came crashing down around me; and my pain, which no physician could find a remedy for, was remedied by means of the needlework carried out by Turkish women since centuries. I have created all these fine beauties, which have saved my life, with huge love and patience, tirelessly, and I never regarded these works as a burden, seeing that beautiful being in every single loop. I went to a vocational school in order to learn the rules of this handicraft. I learned several techniques used in ancient Turkish embroidery and used them in the present collection; various techniques such as hesap işi, susma, gözeme, muşabak, mürver, telkırma telsarma (Bartın style), boncuk, hasır, sepet, sim sarma (Maraş style), Antep needlework, etc…
Except for the collection’s small and single pieces, i.e. coffee table cloths (chemin de tables and table cloths), all collection pieced have two maim characteristics in common: Ancient Turkish style "Bride’s Trousseau" (Gelin Çeyizi) and "Broom’s Trousseau" (Damat Çeyizi). Except for a certain part of the big pieces, I have collected all fabrics, which a embroidered, from local workshops located in different regions of Anatolia . The motives included into this collection consisting of various examples of ancient Turkish Needlework (Embroidery) are all based on ancient Turkish Arts. Mainly, the aim was to reach the most ancient motives of the respective examples, while certain pieces have been created by means of authentic designs.
Ancient Turkish Needlework generally used to consist of madder and vivid colors. Hence efforts were made to remain loyal to such colors. One finds oneself walking around in a garden of fantasy as one looks at these vivid colors. It would have been unfair to keep the chance to admire all the beauties to myself. Therefore, it will cause me huge happiness to share these beauties with you. Sincere Regards...
BRIDE’S TROUSSEAU
I would like to give you a few information on the “Bride’s Trousseau” prepared according to ancient traditions. The Bride’s Trousseau consists of very rich pieces. There are many pieces, which have ceased to be carried out and used in today’s world.
One day before the wedding, the BRIDE is taken to a Turkish bath. She takes her clothes off on a cover with special embroideries. She covers her body with a specifically prepared breechcloth, the so-called peştamal, and her head with a so-called "PEŞKİR" (a kind of a hand-woven towel). Since, in ancient times, there were no hairdryers, women used to cut long pieces from a fine cotton cloth (“tülbent”) and plait these pieces into one’s hair to dehumidify wet hair.
In the evening of the same day, the henna night ceremony is carried out. The bride wears a salvar (Turkish baggy trousers) and a caftan, both embellished with special embroideries, while her head is covered with a special embroidered red henna headscarf. The bride’s hands were covered with henna gloves so as to avoid that the henna applied to the bride’s hands stain this special dress.
The day after, the wedding procession takes place. Since, in ancient times, there were no motor vehicles, the bride used to be mounted on a horse and was sent to the groom’s house. The horse’s back is covered with a cover that is again embellished with special embroideries and the bride used to sit on this special cover.
All these traditions have become inapplicable in today’s large cities, while some of them are still applied in certain minor settlements.
PURPOSE
Such as every other work, this collection, too, has been prepared for a special purpose. I wish to exhibit my work as much as possible, then sell it along with my all personal belongings. My biggest wish is to use this revenue in order to build a primary school in the name of my son, where children with special needs can also have education along with their peers.
Sincere regards..
Sevim Muratli