Cappadocia's geology makes the ground a ready source of clay, and the area is famed for its ceramics. I visited Guray Seramik in the town of Avanos and watched one of their master potters making a beautiful vase.
Then they let me have a go. This is an old-fashioned kick wheel, so you have to control the rotations with your foot and use your hands to shape the clay. I don't think I'll be winning any prizes for my pottery skills.
This is the end product. (Please note the immensely flattering pantaloons I was given to protect my jeans. Florals are so me.)
And these are some examples of what the experts make. The designs date back to the Hittite era and bear no resemblance to the deformed ash tray produced by yours truly.
Leave a comment