Gökeyüp Pot

Gökeyüp pottery is a type of ceramic vessel produced in the village of Gökeyüp, within the Salihli district of Manisa province, in Türkiye’s Aegean Region, using traditional methods. In the region, pottery is crafted exclusively by women using the coiling technique, without the use of a potter’s wheel, shaping the clay on a rotating earthen platform and firing it in an open flame. Gökeyüp pottery is one of the rare surviving Neolithic-origin handcraft traditions in Anatolia today. On 28 January 2025 it was officially registered as a geographical indication.

Structural Characteristics

Gökeyüp pottery consists of traditional kitchen vessels made from a paste of sandy clay soil mixed with muscovite schist as an additive. The paste is hand-raised and shaped on a flat ceramic disc known as a “kalıp” placed atop a rotating platform. These vessels are glazed-free and fired once in a single process. Firing is carried out in open fires within household courtyards using wood shrubs and brush as fuel. Natural mica particles embedded in the surface impart a distinctive darkened appearance and unique visual texture.

History

The exact origin date of Gökeyüp pottery is unknown, but local tradition holds that Yörük communities who migrated from Horasan brought this craft with them. The village appears in Ottoman documents from the 17th century, and 19th-century records list it as “Göleyüp” with a male population of 379 and 85 households. Archaeological evidence reveals that the region was in contact with ancient Lydian and Roman cultures, and numerous tumuli and höyüks have been found in the surrounding area.

Pottery traditions employing techniques similar to those used in Gökeyüp survive today in only a few villages across Anatolia. These include Mihalıççık (Sorkun, Gökçeayva), Palu (Burgudere), Sivrice (Uslu), and Oğuzeli (Zıramba).

Production Method

Raw Material Preparation

The primary raw materials for Gökeyüp pottery are sandy clay soil sourced from the Sarısu locality and muscovite schist. The soil’s chemical composition is approximately 52 percent sand, 15 percent silt, and 33 percent clay. Muscovite, a type of schist, is added to enhance durability and impart a glossy finish. After mixing, the material is soaked and kneaded in water within a large container known as a “çukur” until it becomes workable.

Shaping

The shaping process is performed entirely by hand using a primitive setup consisting of a rotating base platform (“dönek”) and a ceramic disc called a “kalıp.” Clay strips, rolled to the thickness of a forearm, are coiled upward from the base and shaped manually. The base, body, and rim of the vessel are formed sequentially; after drying, repairs and attachments such as handles and lids are added.

Glazing and Firing

The vessels are coated with a slip made of water and fine clay slurry. Firing is completed by placing the vessels vertically on a pile of wood in the courtyard and heating them in an open flame for one to one and a half hours. While still hot, a mixture of straw and animal manure is applied to the surface to darken it. The mica particles become more prominent during this stage. Finished products are stored in indoor or outdoor storage areas and prepared for sale.

Form and Type Variety

Gökeyüp pottery vessels are named according to their function. The main types include:

• Mikri: Small, two-handled, lidded storage jar
• Arapbaşı: Medium-sized storage jar
• Sayı: Large storage jar
• Kabarak: Wide-based storage jar
• Koşaf çömleği: Four-handled, lidded vessel
• Tepsi / İçi: Open, plate-like form used for oven-cooked dishes
• Bayındır çanağı: Composed of two stacked plates
• Tava: Handle-equipped, lidless vessel (used for roasting coffee)
• Balık tabağı: Oval, rimmed, lidless plate
• Bardak: Small jug with a single handle and spout
• Aş testisi: Medium-sized, handleless, either lidded or lidless pots

Cultural and Social Context

Gökeyüp pottery is not only an economic activity but also a cultural production form. The craft is predominantly carried out by women. All stages of production occur either in the household courtyard or in a dedicated room within the home. Labor is divided along traditional gender lines: men procure the raw materials, while women handle shaping and firing. In this way, pottery-making reflects the division of domestic labor according to social gender roles and serves as a vehicle for the intergenerational transmission of local knowledge and skills.

Geography and Natural Resources

The village is located on a hilly area near the Demirköprü Dam within the Gediz River basin, at the northeastern foothills of the Menderes Massif. The soils are predominantly derived from gneiss and mica schist. Muscovite schist is used as an additive in production. Due to the limited and unproductive nature of arable land in the region, pottery has become one of the village’s primary sources of livelihood.

Economic Situation and Recent Developments

Throughout the 20th century, pottery was the central economic activity in Gökeyüp. However, in recent decades, the spread of tobacco farming and declining interest among younger generations in traditional crafts have led to a contraction of the industry. Since the 1980s, production has shifted from continuous year-round activity to a seasonal occupation limited to the months of October through May, spanning approximately eight months. An average household produces around 1,500 vessels annually, most of which are sold to traveling merchants who visit the village, with only a small portion finding markets in regional bazaars.