4
Festival,” was held annually from 1988 to 1991, with the
first festival taking place in 1988. The festival aimed to
highlight the natural quality of meerschaum in Eskisehir,
promote it on a global scale, train artisans, and increase
awareness of its economic value. Significant progress was
made in this regard during those years.
In addition to its use in ornaments, jewelry, and sou-
venirs, meerschaum-type sepiolite has long been utilized in
state protocol, homes, guesthouses, showcases, and muse-
ums in areas where other types of sepiolite cannot be used.
This has helped to promote the country and especially the
cities where it is produced and processed, throughout his-
tory. This first recognized type of Turkish sepiolite serves
as a cultural ambassador, promoting tourism and peace for
our country. For centuries, it has played a vital role as a
bridge between Turkey and other nations. While its global
recognition is still lacking, meerschaum-type sepiolite con-
tinues to grow in importance and value both domestically
and internationally.
In 1972, when raw exports of meerschaum were halted,
meerschaum-type sepiolite became the foundation for an
important industry and artistic tradition in Eskisehir. The
superior quality of Turkish meerschaum, its consistently
high standard over time, and the skilled work of artisans in
the realm of semi-precious metal and stone carving have all
contributed significantly to our country’s recognition.
The world’s first museum dedicated to a single mineral
was established in the early 1990s by the Governorship of
Eskisehir. Later, in 2008, it was relocated to the Kurşunlu
Kulliye, established by the Odunpazarı Municipality
(Figure 5). The museum showcases precious crafted works
by local artisans. The artifacts, donated during the muse-
um’s establishment, were intended to emphasize the impor-
tance of meerschaum-type sepiolite and its promotion as
a valuable asset for Eskisehir. While this small museum
is a significant step toward recognizing meerschaum-type
sepiolite, more efforts are needed. Greater visual promotion
should be carried out through media campaigns, exhibi-
tions, and educational programs, particularly in schools, to
showcase the final products. Odunpazarı Municipality con-
tinues to promote meerschaum under the theme “sea foam”
at the national level (Gungor, et al., 2023).
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF
MEERSCHAUM MINING AND CARVING
ACTIVITIES
The main problems both of the Meerschaum mining and
carving activities are summarized below (Yavuz, 2010)
Due to the competition between small tradesmen who
are meerschaum craftsmen, the prices of products and
works are sold well below the labor spent.
It is known that in 1834, a box/coffer of meerschaum
was purchased for 1,500 kurus (Ottoman money) or 625
francs. This was good money for that day and was 30 gold
coins (1 Ottoman gold coin about 3.510 grams) according
to the Ottoman market.
In the 1980s and 1990s, people migrated from the
villages where meerschaum mines were located to the
Eskisehir. Therefore, the craftsmen have difficulty finding
the amount of meerschaum they want.
Orders from abroad are canceled due to insufficient
raw materials and a shortage of processed products, and
merchants in Europe and America who cannot get the
desired product give up the Turkish market of meerschaum.
Meerschaum operators who work individually cannot
do enough market research, and marketing it in interna-
tional markets requires commercial professionalism.
By gathering meerschaum craftsmen under one roof
and hiring professional staff to exhibit and market the
products at international fairs, the craftsmen can be better
positioned.
Unfortunately, the meerschaum sector currently oper-
ates with approximately under 30 craftsmen and under 30
mineworkers.
The current foreign exchange inflow can be increased
by ensuring that those who left the sector return.
Figure 5. A scene from meerschaum museum
Festival,” was held annually from 1988 to 1991, with the
first festival taking place in 1988. The festival aimed to
highlight the natural quality of meerschaum in Eskisehir,
promote it on a global scale, train artisans, and increase
awareness of its economic value. Significant progress was
made in this regard during those years.
In addition to its use in ornaments, jewelry, and sou-
venirs, meerschaum-type sepiolite has long been utilized in
state protocol, homes, guesthouses, showcases, and muse-
ums in areas where other types of sepiolite cannot be used.
This has helped to promote the country and especially the
cities where it is produced and processed, throughout his-
tory. This first recognized type of Turkish sepiolite serves
as a cultural ambassador, promoting tourism and peace for
our country. For centuries, it has played a vital role as a
bridge between Turkey and other nations. While its global
recognition is still lacking, meerschaum-type sepiolite con-
tinues to grow in importance and value both domestically
and internationally.
In 1972, when raw exports of meerschaum were halted,
meerschaum-type sepiolite became the foundation for an
important industry and artistic tradition in Eskisehir. The
superior quality of Turkish meerschaum, its consistently
high standard over time, and the skilled work of artisans in
the realm of semi-precious metal and stone carving have all
contributed significantly to our country’s recognition.
The world’s first museum dedicated to a single mineral
was established in the early 1990s by the Governorship of
Eskisehir. Later, in 2008, it was relocated to the Kurşunlu
Kulliye, established by the Odunpazarı Municipality
(Figure 5). The museum showcases precious crafted works
by local artisans. The artifacts, donated during the muse-
um’s establishment, were intended to emphasize the impor-
tance of meerschaum-type sepiolite and its promotion as
a valuable asset for Eskisehir. While this small museum
is a significant step toward recognizing meerschaum-type
sepiolite, more efforts are needed. Greater visual promotion
should be carried out through media campaigns, exhibi-
tions, and educational programs, particularly in schools, to
showcase the final products. Odunpazarı Municipality con-
tinues to promote meerschaum under the theme “sea foam”
at the national level (Gungor, et al., 2023).
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF
MEERSCHAUM MINING AND CARVING
ACTIVITIES
The main problems both of the Meerschaum mining and
carving activities are summarized below (Yavuz, 2010)
Due to the competition between small tradesmen who
are meerschaum craftsmen, the prices of products and
works are sold well below the labor spent.
It is known that in 1834, a box/coffer of meerschaum
was purchased for 1,500 kurus (Ottoman money) or 625
francs. This was good money for that day and was 30 gold
coins (1 Ottoman gold coin about 3.510 grams) according
to the Ottoman market.
In the 1980s and 1990s, people migrated from the
villages where meerschaum mines were located to the
Eskisehir. Therefore, the craftsmen have difficulty finding
the amount of meerschaum they want.
Orders from abroad are canceled due to insufficient
raw materials and a shortage of processed products, and
merchants in Europe and America who cannot get the
desired product give up the Turkish market of meerschaum.
Meerschaum operators who work individually cannot
do enough market research, and marketing it in interna-
tional markets requires commercial professionalism.
By gathering meerschaum craftsmen under one roof
and hiring professional staff to exhibit and market the
products at international fairs, the craftsmen can be better
positioned.
Unfortunately, the meerschaum sector currently oper-
ates with approximately under 30 craftsmen and under 30
mineworkers.
The current foreign exchange inflow can be increased
by ensuring that those who left the sector return.
Figure 5. A scene from meerschaum museum