If you’ve ever been to Turkey you know that it’s one of the few modern countries on earth where handcrafted quality still holds sway over mass-produced, cookie-cutter consumer items. Walk through the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and you’ll be greeted by the colors and textures of history, shaped by the hands of skilled artisans and taking forms both practical and luxurious.

The list of vital and vibrant Turkish handicrafts is impressive and includes:

• Ceramics and Tiles
• Carpets
• Metalworks
• Calligraphy
• Textiles and Weaving
• A Variety of Glass Products
• Leather Products
• Bone and Horn Related Items
• Woodworking
• Stone Carving
• Miniature Work

All of these crafts continue to hold down important positions in the culture even as they evolve to incorporate more contemporary attitudes regarding form and finish. Perhaps nowhere in the Turkish handicraft tradition is this more evident than in the world of contemporary Turkish ceramics. There, the movement to fuse modern and traditional elements, led by the confident hand and fertile imagination of Nimet Varli, has won widespread acclaim and vaulted Turkish porcelain to international prominence.

About Nimet Turkish Ceramics

Nimet Varli received a degree in chemistry yet her first love was and always has been the creation of distinctive ceramic objects. By insisting on her right to pursue her chosen trade Ms Varli has not only been recognized for the incredible quality of her porcelain but also for being a pioneer who opened doors for other creative women in the previously male-dominated world of Turkish ceramics.

While Nimet is undoubtedly an influential contemporary artist her work in some ways rejects the smug ‘irony’ that makes so much postmodern artwork so tiresome. Instead Nimet reaches back to embrace the abiding values of 20th century modernism by insisting that her designs, shapes and color choices matter. To her there is no such thing as unimportant work. No such thing as disposable craft.

Just as Nimet’s work champions the best of the modern aesthetic - exploration, deliberation, openness and honesty - it also holds firm to the cultural motifs and traditions from which it springs. Her’s is an art that embraces its roots and uses them to inform and shape her imaginative wanderings. She is not interested in deconstructing the past in some vain attempt to grab attention. Instead, she believes that if you focus on creating the best possible work the attention will come.

Motifs

Nimet’s motifs embrace the natural world but never in a syrupy, nostalgic fashion. To her the natural world is as relevant today as it has ever been and her work strives to capture its beauty and timelessness.

Process

• Materials - Nimet is scrupulous in selecting the best material for her porcelain. Her insistence on quality results in a base that possesses just the right properties for shaping and firing.
• Forming - Only the most talented artisans in Nimet’s workshop are allowed to hand-form the base which is twice fired to produce porcelain that is as durable as it is lustrous.
• Embellishment - The newly fired piece then receives the graphic iconography. The sure hand of the artist produces a design of flawless precision which will not proceed to the finish stage until it has been inspected and cleared by Nimet personally.
• Finish - Once the artwork is approved the enamel coating is applied and the piece returned to the kiln one last time.

The porcelain that finally emerges is some of the most beautiful and sought after in the Turkish ceramics marketplace. Each piece is a unique, hand-crafted expression of the virtues of patience and diligent effort. Whether you plan to use Nimet’s Turkish ceramics to serve your special dishes or simply as display items you won’t be disappointed with the quality and vitality of her work.

A Word About Direct Trade

Much is made about the fact that Nimet Porcelain is a ‘direct trade’ company. But exactly what is a direct trade company and why is it important?

Direct trade is a business model that originated between coffee farmers and roasters. The direct trade model cuts out the middleman and allows for the manufacturer to negotiate directly with the retailer. This business model is thought to be better for everyone involved than the widely used “fair trade” model which many feel removes incentives to quality by guaranteeing a certain price for a product. The guaranteed price also has the effect of stunting the producer’s ability to ask a higher price for a clearly superior product.

Being a direct trade company allows Nimet’s workshop to consistently meet or exceed customer expectations. By doing so they’re always able to ask for the most appropriate price for their product and reward their artisans for their fine work.

Paykoc Imports is proud to present the Turkish ceramics of Nimet Varli. Nimet porcelain embodies the highest standards of craftsmanship and will make an invaluable addition to your tableware.