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Figurine representing a Zeybek warrior in traditional militia costume.
Glazed earthenware (with painting over the glaze) from Çanakkale, 20th century.
Zeybeks (or Zeibeks), were irregular militia and guerrilla fighters living in the Aegean Region of the Ottoman Empire from late 17th to early 20th centuries, generally of Turkic Yörük origins. Being a zeybek was generally a family tradition. Their leaders were regional celebrities, wearing the honorific title of ‘Efe’.
Regarding ceramics from Çanakkale:
Çanakkale is a town on the Asian coast of the Dardanelles (or Hellespont) at their narrowest point. Çanakkale was an Ottoman fortress called Sultaniye kalesi (Fortress of the Sultan). It later became known for its pottery, hence the later name Çanak kalesi = ‘Pot fortress’ (from the words çanak = ceramic bowl and kale = fortress) or ‘Çanakkale’.
Çanakkale ceramics from late 17th to 20th century attest that the city was one of the most important centres of ceramic production during Ottoman Empire, running in parallel to the Kütahya pottery industry. Çanakkale ceramics gained popularity in 18th and 19th centuries, and benefiting from the city’s geographical location on the water passage of all commercial and naval ships, became widely known as souvenirs and gift articles, often with a curious design. Another particularity, common practise in Çanakkale potteries, is the painting over the glaze (instead of under glaze, as was done in Kütahya).
Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: Website of ‘ceramopolis.com’.
Copyright Dick Osseman. For use see my Profile.
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