Abstract
THE ART OF FLAGS IN TRADITIONAL TURKISH-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE AND THE EXAMPLE OF AYHAN SAVUT IN BURSA
The finials, located at the apex of domes, conical roofs, and minarets in traditional Turkish-Islamic architecture, have historically served as unifying, symbolic, and aesthetic elements in military, religious, and social spheres. Evolving from the pre-Islamic tradition of banners and flags, these structures have acquired an architectural identity and are the most tangible manifestations of the world of faith and high craftsmanship aesthetics. This study examines the historical, morphological, and symbolic development of finials in light of literature data, while focusing on an oral history interview conducted with Ayhan Savut, one of the last living finial masters in Bursa. Within the scope of the research, the technical intricacies of the craft, the hand-laden production methodology, and the secret of the metal's resistance to tarnishing due to weather conditions are analyzed through the three-generation legacy chain of the Savut family. Furthermore, the socio-economic reflections of the Ahi and Guild culture in the modern world, the structural dilemmas experienced in apprenticeship training processes, and the dimension of professional ethics are examined in depth, and solutions are offered for the preservation of this intangible cultural heritage.
Keywords
Alem, Ayhan Savut, Ahilik, Copperwork, Ottoman Architecture.