International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Art

Abstract

Mankind has always applied different decoration methods to beautify the environment in which he lives
and the objects surrounding it. The diversification of decoration methods over time has led to the
emergence of our different handicrafts. It is known that embroidery, which is one of our handicrafts, has
been applied on different items from the first age to the present. Especially in the past, human beings
preferred to decorate their precious hand-woven and clothes with embroidery as a sign of superiority and
status in society. In addition, the art of embroidery has also led to the development of trade between
different civilizations. Thus, in addition to their aesthetic beauty, embroideries are among our important
data sources that convey a lot of information about the period in which they were produced. For this
reason, in order to transfer this information to future generations, our Turkish Embroidery, which is one
of our important cultural assets, has been preserved with the dowry tradition, which is one of our Turkish
customs, and transferred from generation to generation.
The girls, who are among the Turkish traditions and customs, kept their dowry, which was produced by
both their families and themselves, in chests called dowry chests (produced with different materials and
techniques) until they reached the age of marriage. Thus, items such as embroidered sheets, cushions,
covers, headscarves, clothes, etc., included in dowries were stored in chests and transferred from mother
to daughter. Today, the art of embroidery can no longer receive enough attention. Because young girls
spare a lot of time for their education or working life and there is a need for labor for the production of
this art, this art can no longer be produced with traditional methods, most importantly, it is in danger of
extinction by succumbing to the developing technology. In terms of the transfer and continuity of this
art to future generations, it is important to examine some examples of the art of embroidery within the
dowry tradition. In the article, the art of embroidery within the Turkish dowry tradition is examined and
it is aimed to transfer this important ornamental art to the present through some visual examples.