A study on the handicrafts samples in Kayseri Gupgupoglu Mansion (Güpgüpoğlu Konağı) as an Etnography Museum in the Central Anatolia Region

Present research was planned and carried out in order to classify handicrafts samples in Kayseri Gupgupoglu Mansion (Güpgüpoğlu Konağı) as an Etnography Museum in the Central Anatolia Region and then examine them in terms of areas of use, materials, techniques applied, color, ornament and forms of composition, as a consequence, to contribute to promotion of our handicrafts, which represent our material culture in museums.This research is composed of 5 main chapters. Chapter I is about scope of the research and Chapter II includes researches carried out in relation with the subject matter. Chapter III is about methods applied in the study while the last chapter covers framework of the research, information forms, findings and comments while the last section, IV, covers the conceptual framework of the research, information forms, findings and recommendations.The research is restricted to handicrafts samples exhibited in Kayseri Gupgupoglu Mansion (Güpgüpoğlu Konağı) Ethnography Museum in the Central Anatolia Region (such as pieces of needlework, knitting, weaving and jewelry). Of the handicrafts samples kept in the museum, 136 pieces were included in the study.Ethnographical samples in Gupgupoglu Mansion examined as a part of the study were photographed and features such as materials, techniques applied, color and composition were analyzed on information forms.Samples of needlework examined in the museum include towels, peşkir (napkin), waistband, bed sheet, handmade surroundings, coach cloth, bed covers, pillows, prayer rugs, bundles and Koran bags. It was seen that cotton fabric was used for needlework. As for techniques applied; Turkish technique and Maraş needlework technique (dival); colors such as green and blue; vegetative ornaments were commonly used. As for the yarns used in needlework, cotton yarn and purls were dominantly used.Of the female garment examined in the museum; it was seen that the ground for Bindallı, bolero (cepken), bride dress, morning gown, clothes and other traditional dresses was mainly velvet while Maraş (dival) needlework was put alongside vegetative motives on most of the pieces. Purl was used for a weaving material on a frequent basis. Fez, main piece of the female hats, is decorated with dival technique by using purls.As for the male garment studied in the museum; it was found out that majority of the swashbucklers? pants, (tall) coarse woolen cloth, caps, fez, and fringes were produced on haircloth along with fabric, and ornamentation was made by using blonya needle technique, and vegetative ornaments were commonly used. In needlework, purls were found to be the most frequently used material. Fez, main piece of the male caps, is decorated with dival technique by using purls.The group of jewelry studied in the museum includes cap stone, frontoral accessories, neckband, necklace, amulet cap,, earrings, bracelets, belt buckles, bibs, belts and rings. In production of the jewelry for both male and female, silver was used as main material. Semi precious stones were used as decorative materials and mostly geometrical ornamentation was used in composition of the accessories produced by using relief, filigree (telkâri) and stone inlay techniques.Knitting needlework was used as frequently as fabric weaving techniques on the bags (such as clock bag, money bag, and tobacco pouch); and purls as the most suitable yarn due to its technical specifications. While yellow purls and green threads are intensively used in bag production, vegetative and geometrical ornaments were frequently seen in compositions.Under woven pieces group; woolen thread was used in majority of the samples such as carpets, rugs, cicim kilim rugs, pillows and woven fabrics; and cicim was observed to be the most frequent technique whereas white, black, green and yellow were the most common colors. Finally; geometrical and symbolic ornaments were used in composition as frequently as possible.Some of the handicrafts samples in the collections are being exhibited while some others are preserved in storing houses. Of the pieces exhibited, only those allowed by Kayseri Directorate of Provincial Museum could be documented.Cultural concepts to be transferred to the next coming generations can be preserved only by means of arising awareness among us, individuals. In promoting our local culture, new initiatives must be taken in structuring ?Museum studies? and museum studies must be accelerated in the virtual environment.Many of the handicrafts samples in Kayseri Güpgüpoğlu Konağı were found to be worn out, faded away due to the light and dust, and many of the accessories became oxidized. In this context; restoration and conservation studies must be accelerated and Re-De centers must be established in this area to ensure maintenance, repair, cleaning, renewing and preservation of the ethnographical properties in the museums.Key words: Gupgupoglu Mansion (Güpgüpoğlu Konağı) Ethnography Museum, Ethnographical Works, Handicrafts, Needlework, Weaving, Male and Female Garment, Bags, Metal Accessories, Caps