Analysis of Avanos ceramics

The objective of the study is the in-situ investigation of ceramics products in the Avanos region and to assert and document information on its fields of use, toolsdevices used in ceramics production, the colors that are used, their technical properties, pattern characteristics, composition properties, production and utilization, problems experienced in its marketing, the development of the art of ceramics in the region, and the differences between the art of ceramics performed in other parts of Turkey and the art of ceramics performed in the Avanos region.The survey method was utilized in this study. It was utilized through the examination of sources on the topic.The universe of the study consists of ceramics production workshops in the district of Avanos in the province of Nevşehir. A total of 30 masters, randomly selected among masters producing ceramics in Avanos, and 100 works of ceramics have been included as the sample.In the study, a 25 question questionnaire was developed by obtaining the opinions of specialists in order to collect data and it was applied to 25 persons. By means of the questionnaire, answers were sought for questions regarding the personal details and professional characteristics of persons engaged in the art of ceramics, the vitools-devices used in the production of ceramics, techniques utilized in ceramic production, pattern and color characteristics used in ceramics production, the production and utilization of ceramics, field of marketing of ceramics products, and the development of the art of ceramics in the region. The results of the questionnaires were tabulated with frequency (f) and percentile (%) distributions. An information form was developed for the 100 randomly determined works of ceramics. The information forms contain the sample number, shape number, examination location, examination date, field of use of the product, product dimensions, used materials, utilized techniques, characteristics of used colors and patterns, composition properties and identification details of source person for each ceramics product. With the information forms, the tools and devices used in ceramic production in Avanos, the techniques practiced in ceramics production, the applied pattern, the applied color, and applied composition characteristics have been tabulated and interpreted. It was observed that a large majority of those participating in the study were middle school graduates. A majority of the participants learnt the art of ceramics from family members. A majority of those participating in the study are engaged in this art as masters in their own workshops. It was observed that those participating in the study applied the undergalze colored ceramic technique the most and the data obtained from the information forms support this conclusion. It was observed that a majority of participants in the study used motifs unique to the region in ceramics and the data obtained from the information forms support this conclusion. It was observed that a majority of the participants used turquoise, red, blue and tones of these colors in their products and the data obtained from the information forms support this conclusion. It was observed that the participants produced ceramics in the form of plates the most and the data obtained from the information forms support this conclusion.Keywords: Handcrafts, decorative arts, decorative products, ceramics, ceramics with patterns, Avanos ceramics