10 Fascinating Objects at the MSA Museum

The MSA Museum's collection includes more than 2.000 rare objects from the Ottoman times to the 20th century. Go back in time with MSA to learn more about the Turkish kitchen. Let's take a look at 10 objects from the MSA Museum.

Melceü't-Tabbahin by Mehmed Kamil is published in 1844 and it is the first Turkish cookbook in the history. The title "Melceü't-tabbahin" means sanctuary of cooks and it warms people’s hearts. This cookbook is like a milestone for Ottoman people who is interested in cooking.

The book "Balık ve Balıkçılık" which means fish and fishery is the most important book written about fishery in Turkey. It was written by Karekin Deveciyan and published in 1915. He worked as manager and fisheries chief inspectorate in the famous Istanbul Fish Market.

It's Drawn by artist Abidin İnan. This poster depicts a cheerful child carrying a bottle of Uludağ Fruit Soda. It's a signature poster from 1960s.

Ottoman Sherbet is a cool drink and was important in the Ottoman Empire cuisine culture. The traditional sherbet pitcher pictured here has a crescent and star detail. Local street vendors were carrying these strapped to their body.

The book "Hamsiname" which means epic of anchovy, was published in 1928 and is a story about an anchovy.  It was written by Hamamîzâde İhsan Bey who was born in 1885 in Trabzon. He was one of the late-period poets of divan literature.

One of the Turkey’s most common nostalgic food is probably roasted chickpeas. They were incredibly popular in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. This portable box was used by peddlers to transport roasted chickpeas.

This metal pressure cooker and mixer was used in the Ottoman period. It was one of the most essential tools in Ottoman kitchens and used to cook meals with beans and chickpeas.

This is one of the funniest examples of our food and beverage box collection. Gas stoves were used extensively from the Ottoman period until the 1970s. Omega brass gas burner was also a highly preferred gas burner brand specially produced for the Ottoman lands.

This yellow copper grinder was once an absolute must in every house. People would buy coffee beans, roast them in a pan and grind them by turning the handle patiently to get ground coffee. 

This dough kneading machine was created by the Alfa Laval brand. The machine was one of the most indispensable appliances of the Ottoman dinner table. The Ottoman empire loved pastry and this machine made many of these.