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The "steam bath" which is the basis of Turkish bath was known in different
countries in ancient times.
For instance, the Indians had steam baths many years before the discovery of America.
The Uygurs had largely developed steam baths.
Thus, Turks coming to Anatolia brought their steam baths tradition with them and united
this tradition with the culture accumulation on baths they readily found in Anatolia. At
the end, the world famous "Turkish Bath" culture was created.
"Turkish bath culture" gained a specific character in society's way of
living. This culture occupied a place in the daily life of the society and bath became an
important "institution".
People began to celebrate important days in the baths. Moreover they used the bath as a
place for cleaning, body and hair dressing, as a kind of beauty parlour, and for curing
and massaging.
Some Western researchers (for example English researcher Lady Jellicoe) state this:
"The use of bath as a place where collective and overall body care is realised is
seen only in two countries of the world: Among the Anatolian Turks and Chinese
society."
In-Anatolia, the Seljuks and the Ottomans considered the bath culture as being very
important. They built baths everywhere and erected fountains in every district. The baths
and fountains were put into people's service. Water was considered a charity and it was
said that "The best charity is the one connected to the supply and distribution of
water to the people."
The architecture, interior decoration, marble works have been ornate with a great
variety of floral designs. Various sets of bath supplies have been prepared in accordance
with the usage purpose.
Set of Bath Supplies
Since the people needed many different kinds of provisions in connection with baths, a
vast bath supplies culture gradually developed. In today's values each of these supplies
is a work of art. These prove the richness of the bath culture. Let's take a look at the
Turkish bath supplies:
Bath bowls, dense and sparse combs...
Metal boxes in different shapes where soaps (washing clay), bath gloves and sponges
were put....
Bowls for henna and kohl...
Metal box (or small chest) for jewellery...
Wooden or silver framed mirrors....
Different kinds of clogs (High or low heeled)
Bath towels, waist clothes, bath supply wrappers, head shawls of gauze...
Small metal bowls.
The happy memories of people lie within each of these bath supplies, because many
important celebrations were held at the baths, thus giving a social importance and
distinguishing characteristic to Turkish baths.
Bath Ceremonies
The weddings started with "bridal" and "bridegroom's" baths. During
these ceremonies music was played, dances were performed, everyone feasted. We can name
newborn baby's and mother's bath, circumcision bath, betrothal bath, traveller's bath,
soldier's bath, night baths during Fasting month, vowing bath, mourning bath among the
bath ceremonies.
Feasts were held in baths and those who were invited attended these feasts with their
own set of bath supplies. The wealth of a family was found out by their sets of bath
supplies. For instance, a woman with a silver bath bowl was considered wealthy. In olden
times it was customary to present the bride silver bath bowls among wealthy families. This
tradition still continues in some regions.
Let's give four examples of silver bath bowls:
- Silver bowls decorated with floral designs are found mostly in Marmara and Aegean
regions.
The diameter of the bowl seen in our example is 26 cm. Its weight is 220 grams. This one
hundred years old bowl has a flower in its center and other flowers with leaves around the
central one.
There are 14 strips of floral inlaid designs around the center. There is a four-petal
flower in each strip.
There are (intertwined) 14 strips on the outer edge of the bowl one strip decorated with
flowers, one strip undecorated respectively.
In the upper part of each strip, there are 14 leaves, thus making number 14 dominant in
decoration.
The importance of numbers is very great in Turkish beliefs. Even numbers are considered
lucky, because even numbers are required to produce offspring. In addition to the even
numbers, 3-5-7-14 has a meaning according to specific conditions. Therefore, we see
decorations based on numerical beliefs, when examining the bath bowls decorations.
- Our second example is a silver bowl with a coat of arms in the center. It's more than
two-hundred years old. Its diameter is 18 cm. and weight is 270 grams. There is the coat
of arms belonging to an aristocratic family in Istanbul, in the center of the bowl. It is
a very plain bowl with only a very elaborate decoration around the edge.
- The diameter of this silver bowl is 14 cm. its weight is 205 grams. There is a stamp on
the side of it. It is estimated that the bowls is more than two-hundred years old. It has
a central design consisting of a flower with engraved branches around it. There are 5
different medallions on the outer side with various designs. On one of the medallions we
see two cypress trees and a three-branched fruit tree. There are two birds perched face to
face. Numbers 5-3-2 dominate this bowl.
- A silver bath bowl with a diameter of 20 cm. and weighing 162 grams. It is the product
of late 19th century with a central design consisting of a flower and leaves in
a vase.
The edge is decorated in chiseling with 6 groups of flowers connected with ribbon
designs. The decoration motif is late Rococo design influenced by European works. Since
the bridal bath bowls became thinner due to price increase of silver, this bowl is very
light.
Result
We can follow the various traces of the past, the appreciation and development of art
even on a few bath bowls. We can even find out about the deep-rooted public beliefs and
the economic situation of the period. There are many different kinds of bath bowls in
Anatolia. Some of these have designs and decorations going back to Hitites.
Source: Antika; The Turkish Journal of Collectable Art, August 1985,
Issue: 5
By Sabiha Tansug
Activities
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