SHOEMAKERS IN THE STREETS OF STAMBOUL (ISTANBUL) (1922)
Under the Ottoman Empire, artisans like shoemakers often worked in small outdoor shops lining the busy streets and markets of Istanbul. These workshops, known as esnaf dükkânları, were typically open-fronted, allowing craftsmen to display their goods and interact directly with customers and passersby. Shoemakers crafted footwear by hand, using leather and traditional tools, often seated on low stools near their workbenches. They were usually members of a guild, which regulated training, quality, and fair pricing. These street-side shops created a lively atmosphere, contributing to the vibrant economic and social life of the city. Artisans took pride in their craft, and their skills were often passed down through generations. The sight, sounds, and smells of these workshops were a familiar and essential part of daily life in Ottoman Istanbul. Click here to enlarge.
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