Vehbi Koç’s deep affection led to this museum. It stands as a memorial to his beloved wife Sadberk. We are standing before the Sadberk Hanım Museum. It is a treasure trove of history and art.
The Sadberk Hanım Museum holds the distinction of being Turkey’s first private museum. Sadberk Koç’s personal collection formed its base. It had over 3500 ethnographic pieces. These were mainly traditional handicrafts.
Over time, the museum’s collection grew. It grew substantially through purchases and donations. Today, it houses nearly 20000 works. The Sadberk Hanım Museum is more than just a building. It is a journey through time.
The Sadberk Hanım Museum occupies two separate 19th-century wooden villas. The first building was constructed of wood. It has lathe-and-plaster on a masonry foundation. Its architecture draws from European traditions. It belonged to the Azarian family. They were Armenian Catholics from Sivas. The crossed wooden moldings give it a unique look. It was known as the Threaded Yalı.
The Koç family bought the building in 1950. They used it as a summer house. In 1978, they decided to turn it into a museum. Architect Sedat Hakkı Eldem oversaw the conversion. The museum opened on October 14, 1980. It displayed the Sadberk Koç collection.
In 1983, the Vehbi Koç Foundation expanded. It purchased the Hüseyin Kocabaş collection. They bought a semi-dilapidated yalı next door. It would house these new acquisitions. İbrahim Yalçın reconstructed the facade. He did so faithfully to the original. This work took two years. This new section became the Sevgi Gönül Wing. It is named after Sadberk’s daughter. It opened on October 24, 1988. It won the Europa Nostra prize. This recognized its modern museum architecture.
The Sevgi Gönül Wing is made of reinforced concrete. This protects against fire. Wood clads the front. Marble stucco clads the side. It looks like wood. The wing has three storeys at the front. It has four at the back. Archaeological objects are displayed chronologically. White Afyon marble paves the entrance floor. Black Adapazarı marble covers the exhibition spaces.
The Sadberk Hanım Museum is divided into two main sections. First is the Archaeological Collection. It includes artifacts from ancient Anatolian civilizations. These range from the 6th millennium BCE to the end of the Byzantine period. You can see jewelry, sculptures, tablets, and coins. They shed light on the region’s history.
Second is the Ethnographic and Islamic Artifacts section. It features Ottoman-era textiles and clothing. The Iznik ceramics are significant. You will see women’s garments and accessories. The Islamic section displays calligraphy and carpets.
The museum’s ethnographic collection reflects Ottoman life. It includes clothing from the 16th to 18th centuries. There is jewelry, shoes, bags, hats, and fans.
In 2007, Vehbi Koç’s summer house opened. It showcases Josephine Powell’s kilims. She was an American traveler. She donated them to the Vehbi Koç Foundation.
The Sadberk Hanım Museum also has a specialized library. It contains around 8700 printed volumes. There are 640 manuscripts. They focus on archaeology, ethnography, and art history.
The Sadberk Hanım Museum stands as a testament to love and legacy. It preserves Turkey’s cultural heritage. Its collections offer a glimpse into the past. The Sadberk Hanım Museum enriches our understanding of history.