Writer: Yavuz İşçen
May 2010

It is not perfectly known when the potter has started in Avanos. There is a general idea that it has been seen in Avanos since the Hittites. However, there are foundlings from tumulus dated back to the earlier period than Hittites. It cannot be said that Avanos pottery has a genuine characteristic. For example Kınık pottery and Menemen pottery have their own characters. We cannot see that in Avanos but Avanos pottery has the variety of design. There is no other region in Turkey in terms of having the variety in design. The craftsmen of Avanos are very talented and they can produce items from goblet to a wall panel.
The soil used in Avanos pottery is being brought from the old beds of Kızılırmak and the hills surrounding. The production of pottery first starts as the suitable soil arrives to the ateliers called “işlik” (workshop). Today the number of işlik (workshop) in Avanos becomes less. It is known that towards the end of 60s, there were around 100 işlik (workshop) at the east Avanos and they were located in Yukarı Mahalle (Upper Ward). According to a resource dated 1972, there were 75 işlik (workshop) in Avanos and 300 craftsmen were working in these işlik (workshop). Today there are 10 to 12 işlik (workshop) in Avanos.
One of the biggest reasons of declining the number of işlik (workshop) is traditional products’ being out of fashion due to the life standards. Together with the developing tourism in the region, in order to break the ordinarily of Avanos pottery and to encourage artistic work, since 1980 a study on “leather texture pots” has been started. The application of leather on the clay pots with artistic style continued until 1989, but because of not having enough interest on this style, the production decreased.
Since the beginning of 1990, we can say that there is a new movement in Avanos pottery. It is called Rapido technique, means drawing the motives on the pottery with rapido pens. Since this technique enables delicate workmanship and the outcomes are charming, during the recent years the popularity of rapido technique gets higher. Today rapido works and Kutahya tiles have an important place in selling in Avanos.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, May 2010 issue. It is under protection of the copyrights of the magazine. 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