Nüzhetiye Bebeği

Nüzhetiye (Döşeme) Doll is a traditional cloth doll entirely handmade, registered with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 17 September 2020 as a “geographical indication.” It is one of the few examples in which local clothing elements are revived through artisanal craft in toy form. It is also a documented practice that contributes to the preservation of traditional culture through development-based initiatives.

Nüzhetiye Dolls (Gölcük Municipality)

Geographical Origin

The doll derives its name from Nüzhetiye Village, formerly known as Döşeme, located in the Gölcük district of Kocaeli Province. This forested village is situated at an elevation of approximately 405 meters above sea level at the foothills of the Samanlı Mountains, on the southern shore of the İzmit Gulf.

Cultural Context and Historical Development

In the past, women of the village created cloth dolls for their daughters, inspired by their own traditional attire and made from leftover fabric. These dolls served not only as toys but also as tools for learning social roles. With the support of local authorities, training programs were organized to sustain and document the craft, leading to the formation of a team faithful to the original design and the initiation of the geographical indication registration process.

Production Method and Technical Features

Materials List

Body: Cotton cream terekoton fabric, bead stuffing/cut cotton

Clothing: Black grape/clove patterned fabric, floral printed fabric

Details: Black elastic fabric (socks), wool thread/felt (hair), powder and colored pencil pigments (face)

Accessories: White muslin fabric (headscarf), shiny thread embroidery

Production Process

1. The doll’s body is shaped and stuffed with bead filling.
2. A floral-patterned shirt and a black skirt with grape and clove motifs are sewn onto the torso.
3. Embroidery motifs are applied to the hem of the skirt using the kanaviçe technique.
4. The face is powdered and painted; coloring is done with allık.
5. The hair is crafted using needle-felting techniques from felt and wool thread.
6. The white headscarf with needle embroidery is fastened using a specific tying method.

Symbolic Motifs and Cultural Meanings

• Grape Motif: References the black skirts traditionally worn by Georgian girls during grape crushing.
• Clove and Star Motifs: Local variations added after the grape pattern.
• “Water Path” Motif: A simple design used in the clothing of women over fifty, reflecting cultural differentiation by age.
• Tavitep Headscarf: The traditional white head covering of Georgian Muslim women, meaning “head-muslin,” completed with needle embroidery.

Monitoring and Geographical Indication Protection

Production of the doll must occur exclusively within the boundaries of Nüzhetiye Village. Annual inspections are conducted under the coordination of Gölcük Municipality, by a commission comprising the Kocaeli Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Gölcük City Council, and master artisans. During inspections, it is mandatory that the grape or clove motifs are applied using the correct technique and that the geographical indication emblem appears on the product or packaging.

Nüzhetiye Dolls (Turkish Patent)

Social Contribution and Promotion Process

The production of the Nüzhetiye Doll is carried out exclusively by authorized teams compliant with the geographical indication standards. Although the product is not commercially sold, it may be presented to specific institutions and organizations for promotional purposes. Promotion and sustainable production are managed under local government auspices with the goal of preserving women’s labor.