Antique bazaar draws collectors from around Turkey each month

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

AA Photo

A veritable treasure trove with something for everybody, a monthly antique bazaar in Ankara’s Ayrancı neighborhood has become one of the most important markets of its kind in the country.

The bazaar, which is organized on the first Sunday of each month, features every type of antique object from Turkmen reeds to gramophone records and from portable ovens to crown corks, $5,000 worth of inlaid chests, 60-year-old cameras, record players and Turkish film posters, according to vendors.

The purpose of the antique bazaar is not just to provide a shopping environment but also to bring together antique object sellers from all around Turkey under the same roof, Anatolian Antique Sellers Culture Association Chairman Şükrü Sarı recently told Anatolia news agency.

The objects in the bazaar would vanish if people did not show an interest in them, Sarı said, but added that thanks to collectors, these artifacts were able to survive.

The bazaar was established more than 10 years ago and has hosted antique lovers from a number of provinces, including Istanbul, Mersin, Sivas, Adana, Kastamonu, Eskişehir, İzmir, Çorum, Konya and Bursa, he said.

Noting that overly expensive objects were not sold in the bazaar, Sarı said: “Since valuable products can be stolen or damaged at the stands, sellers do not bring valuable products to the bazaar. If they like, they can host customers in their own place and show these objects.”

Prices are determined by the vendors and buyers based on the condition and value of the objects, he said, while also noting that the bazaar attracts more visitors in the spring and summer.

Sarı said the fair was more of a cultural event than a chance to conduct trade. “I am a retired police officer, and I don’t have a collection, but I love this business. Other countries pay big attention to this event. But, unfortunately, the antique culture does not get what it deserves in our country.”

Collector Özlem Özkan, who is a frequent visitor to the bazaar, said it was difficult being a collector.
“We come here to find new pieces for our collections but you need to have a great amount of money for this hobby. Also, one of the reasons why we come here is to see our friends coming from all around Turkey. This place gives us a lot of pleasure. I have a Chinese porcelain and silver set collection. We are like a family here and sellers know us.”

Antique seller Sefer Karakaş, who comes to the bazaar from the northern province of Çorum, stands out for his garments, which are reminiscent of a U.S. police officer.

The bazaar features collections of 50-to-60-year-old Uludağ and Turkish Kızılay (Red Crescent) branded crown corks, as well as mother of pearl mirrors.

Among the other objects are books, each of which is sold for one Turkish Lira.

Visitors are generally advised to go earlier in the morning so as to find rarer objects before other customers.