Kündekâri Tekniği Bağlamında Aksaray Ulu Cami Minberinin İncelenmesi

The beginning of the use of wood in daily life in the history of humanity has brought about the emergence of a unique branch of art in the making of various goods, in the decoration of architecture and related elements. Architectural elements such as minbar, door and window sash have been frequently preferred objects in wood art. The most beautiful works have shown themselves in the minbars, which is the main furniture of the mosque.

When the wooden works of the Anatolian Seljuk period are reviewed it is seen that various techniques such as kundekari, carving, repousse (kakma) and kafes işi stand out. Kundekari technique is the technique of connecting small wooden tables and profiled laths to each other in a way that creates a geometric decoration, used in the construction of lectern and pulpit tables or important elements such as doors and windows. The purpose of this technique is to prevent the wood from working due to moisture and heat. The important feature of this technique, in which mostly geometric patterns are used, is that no glue or similar materials are used when interlocking wooden pieces, and that geometric small pieces called trays are placed in a way that they can move freely within the grooves. The second important feature is that while the pieces are interlocked on the back surface, the upper surface also forms itself. This technique, which is very difficult, requiring mastery and at the same time costly, has led to the emergence of imitations over time.

The minbar of Aksaray Great Mosque, dated 1150-53, belonging to the Anatolian Seljuk period, attracts attention with its woodwork, techniques and patterns. It is important to examine the Kundekari technique, which is applied under the side board (yan aynalık) and the kiosk (köşk), of the Aksaray Great Mosque, which is the first minbar of Anatolia in terms of both technical and geometric patterns.

The aim of the paper is to give information by examining the Aksaray Great Mosque minbar, one of the art works of the Anatolian Seljuk period, in terms of the Kundekari technique and geometric compositions applied under the side board (yan aynalık) and the kiosk (köşk), and to emphasize its place and importance in Turkish Art.