Güray Pottery (Avanos, Turkey)

TS:
Hmm, so far, still no food posts from our trip to Turkey. But, bear with us while we feature other things. For example, images from our visit to a pottery maker while in the Cappadocia (Kapadokya) region of Turkey.


Güray in Avanos, Turkey.

TS:
Cave structures are common in this area of Turkey. We even stayed in a cave hotel!


See, very cave-y.

TS:
As one may assume, such a "visit" is probably an attempt to sell products to gullible tourists. ;)

In actuality, the whole affair at Güray was quite low pressure. Good thing, otherwise I wouldn't have enjoyed the visit at all!



TS:
We learned about the two types of clay (red and white) and a host of other things (very specific, I know), and watched their artists hand-paint intricate designs onto various objects.

Look at that design in the photo above! Holy. I feel like my eyes will go bad if I ever attempted to draw/paint such a thing. ;)


Painted works; not yet fired.



TS:
We also watched a pottery wheel demonstration. While they mostly use automated wheels now, they used one that needed to be turned with one's legs for the demo.

Being a family business of multiple generations, these two men are related.

Lookee what I found! Videos of the pottery demonstration at Güray! It's even the same guy doing the demos. There is also a longer video of the tour (approximately 8 minutes); you will feel like you were right there!

Watch videos #1 to #5.
Video #4 is the extended video.


Me with my creation.

TS:
After the pottery wheel demonstration, they asked for a volunteer to give it a try. Of course, you-know-who -- that would be me! -- volunteered. They gave me those loosey-goosey pants to wear to protect my clothes. I managed to pull out that pot/container above. The presenter was quite surprised; he said people do not usually manage to make anything remotely resembling anything when they have a go at the wheel. Well, I have used the wheel in the past, but that was only 2 or 3 times when I was in high school. So, I still think I deserve a pat on the back! =D

Psst! Look at that drawing in the back. Isn't that image quite puzzling!?!! It looks like an old man wearing a bra, doesn't it? If anyone can explain it to me, it would set my mind at ease.

TS:
After the fun at the pottery wheel demonstration, it was time to go to the shop!




TS:
The above two photos show a type of design that was commonly seen in souvenir shops and such.


Blue and white.


Small stuff.


Hittite designs

TS:
My favorites were the Hittite-design items. Look at the wine jug with the hollow center! We were told this probably made it easy for someone to carry multiple wine jugs; one simply had to "wear" them on their arms!

I was actually a little tempted to buy something from their store, but it was just too impractical. Imagine lugging breakables around!


My favoritest. Too cool.

For more photos of their many pottery pieces, visit their website:
Güray Ceramik House

They also have a 360-degree photo tour of the premises. I highly recommend taking a look: 360° Güray


eatingclub vancouver in Turkey (September 2010)
Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) (Istanbul, Turkey)
Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia) (Istanbul, Turkey)
Topkapı Sarayı (Palace) Museum (Istanbul, Turkey)
Turkey Flora
Hierapolis Ruins and Travertines (Pamukkale, Turkey)
Güray Pottery (Avanos, Turkey)

For Turkish dishes:
Turkey (the country, not the fowl)
Turkish Çay (Tea)

Enjoyed this post? Why not subscribe to our blog? Subscribe via reader or subscribe via email. Thank you!