THE ANTIQUARIAN OF CAPPADOCIA

Writer: Ayça Olcaytu İşçen
January 2010/Ankara

The antiques defined as the goods with historical even artistic value and can be found rarely, have the function of reflecting the culture they belong to. The antiquarians chase the antiques and by this they trace the culture. Being an antiquarian is something difficult; to read, research and be interested in are necessary. It is not easy to give again the identity to the antique that you have been chasing for months even for years or that you come across by chance. It needs a proficiency to discover when, where and by whom it was used and to understand the characteristics which make it precious. Above all, being an antiquarian in Cappadocia has a rich history and various cultures are something like to adventure. To collect the original antiques of the region, to give them identity and to maintain them due to the original can be done only with a true love. 

Once upon a time…
Among the antiques original to Cappadocia, carpets, rugs, the tools used for weaving, locks, keys, hope chests, wooden doors, knockers, wooden ceiling hubs, closet doors, glass lamps, money bags as well as ornaments, accessories and embroidered cloths draw attention. You can find the impressive samples in the antique shops which dedicate themselves to Cappadocian culture and these samples will help you to feel the life style of the inhabitants as well as to give meaning to today through history. For example, what is the message of the size of the locks and their ornaments, why the wooden ceiling hubs are very ornate or why the cypress tree and sound base locking system are used for the chests? As you wonder and ask more, the antiquarian with a joy will tell you more by enriching with short stories. As you listen, you will start to know better about Cappadocia and you can be sure that the more you know the more interest you get into Cappadocia. Whether a lock or a chest, a door or a money bag leftover we can only meet with the samples in the antique shops and to protect these values and to transmit to the future generations are duty for everybody.
If you really aim to know more about the region, please do not forget to visit the antique shops with good and rich samples because they serve people like you.

Note: This text and firm presentation writings have been published in “Cappadocia Life and Travel Guide-2010”. It is under protection of the copyrights of the book. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by electronic, mechanical or other means without prior permission from the owner. www.cappadociaexplorer.com