Stones of the Grand Bazaar

Fatma Alt?nba? was raised in Istanbul. She graduated in international relations from Bilkent University in Ankara and later completed her MBA in Milan. She holds a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology with research on the master artisan jewellers of the Grand Bazaar, and lectures in sociology at the Alt?nba? University in Istanbul.

The author of this delightfully opulent book is also a cultural anthropologist and a sociology lecturer, and she applies these fields to her narrative. In her erudite ode to the storied Turkish metropolis, Altýnbaþ takes readers on a fascinating journey through vibrant markets and colorful interiors, highlighting how the beautifully crafted ornaments she’s known since childhood have found their way into her contemporary jewels." —RAPAPORT MAGAZINE"Equal parts travelogue, memoir, and fancy jewelry coffee-table book, it’s a celebration of the colors and cultural riches of Istanbul, with a particular focus on the Grand Bazaar, where generations of jewelry artisans have been honing their crafts for centuries." —JCKONLINE"In addition to the historical aspect of the Grand Bazaar, the reader is treated to a vast and extensive history of Istanbul and Turkey itself. Actual photos or historical reproductions accompanying the text are lush, as is the telling of its history, as are its many artisanal offerings." —NEW YORK JOURNAL OF BOOKS