Sadberk Hanım Museum
Sadberk Hanım Museum is located in the Büyükdere district of Sarıyer, Istanbul, and is one of Turkey’s foremost private museums.
It was founded in 1974 by the Vehbi Koç Foundation to display the personal collection of Sadberk Koç, an avid collector and the wife of Vehbi Koç, the founder of Koç Holding. The museum opened to the public on October 14, 1980, housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century wooden mansion, Azeryan Yalısı, on the shores of the Bosphorus.
Sadberk Hanım Museum holds the distinction of being Turkey’s first private museum. Its founding was made possible by the significant contribution of Sadberk Koç’s personal collection, which consists of over 3,500 ethnographic pieces, mainly traditional handicrafts. Over time, the museum’s collection has grown substantially through purchases and donations, and today it houses nearly 20,000 works. These include archaeological finds from the ancient civilizations of Anatolia, Islamic artifacts, Ottoman-era costumes, as well as 15th to 17th-century Iznik tiles and ceramics.
The museum is divided into two main sections: Archaeological Collection: This includes artifacts from the ancient civilizations that flourished in Anatolia, ranging from the 6th millennium BCE to the end of the Byzantine period. The collection features jewelry, sculptures, tablets, coins, and other items that shed light on the rich history of the region.
Ethnographic and Islamic Artifacts: The museum is particularly renowned for its exceptional collection of Ottoman-era textiles, clothing, and embroidery. The Iznik ceramics from the 15th to 17th centuries are especially significant, as are the women’s garments, accessories, and decorative items from the same period. The Islamic section also includes finely crafted objects such as calligraphy, manuscripts, and carpets.
The museum’s ethnographic collection reflects the traditional life and culture of the Ottoman Empire and includes objects such as 16th- to 18th-century clothing, textiles, and decorative items, with a particular emphasis on women's costumes, jewelry, and accessories such as shoes, bags, hats, and fans.
In 1983, the museum expanded its holdings with the acquisition of the collection of renowned collector Hüseyin Kocabaş, adding a significant number of coins and archaeological artifacts. In 2017, the museum also acquired 69 examples of Anatolian carpets and textiles from the 18th to early 20th centuries from the Murat Megalli collection, housed at the Textile Museum of George Washington University. The museum's continuous acquisitions, along with its commitment to preserving and displaying these items, have established it as a leader in contemporary museum practices in Turkey. In 2023, the museum was awarded the Special Award by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for its outstanding contributions to preserving cultural heritage.
The museum also houses a specialized library, with around 8,700 printed volumes and 640 manuscripts, focusing on archaeology, ethnography, and art history. This library is a valuable resource for researchers and scholars interested in these fields.
Overall, Sadberk Hanım Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and culture of Turkey, combining a broad range of artifacts from different periods and regions with an exceptional commitment to preserving and sharing these treasures with the public.