Istanbul, Turkey 
Turkish

Metal
20th century
Diameter: 18 in
Idiophones – Struck Idiophones – Concussion

Cymbals were first employed in Turkey by Turkish janissaries (elite infantry soldiers) in the 14th century or earlier. By the 17th century, such cymbals were used in European music, and more commonly played in military bands and orchestras by the mid-18th century.

This is a hand-hammered cymbal made of copper from Istanbul, Turkey. Both sides are stippled to show the production technique and the center of the cymbal is slightly raised in a small dome. The cymbal is copper in color with some mottling of red and black throughout. The face of the instrument reads “Istanbul/Mehmet Handmade Cymbals from Turkey/Turk”

History: Mehmet Tamdeger learned his art from Mikhail Zilcan, the grandson of Kerope Zilcan, after whom the Zilcan K series is named. In the 1950s, he worked in the K. Zilcan factory in Istanbul.  After Mr. Zilcan’s passing (1978), the Istanbul brand name was adopted and established by two cymbal smiths, Mehmet Tamdeger and Agop Tomurcuk.  When they joined, they had over three decades of cymbal making experience. Mehmet and Agop named their company after the city that has been home to the epitome of high-quality cymbals for many years: Istanbul. These cymbals were first exported to the U.S. in 1984, first under the name “Zildjiler”, and soon afterwards as “Istanbul”.   Both craftsmen signed each cymbal and many of these cymbals are now collectors’ items.

Resource:  http://www.istanbulmehmet.com/