Seka Antika | Antique and collectible appraisal and purchasing

Seka Antika operates as a specialized antique dealership and valuation consultancy based in Istanbul, Turkey. Managed under the leadership of antique collector Kadir Altay, the company bridges the gap between private sellers and collectors, providing professional appraisal, consignment, and direct acquisition services. The business maintains a structured framework that prioritizes transparent valuations, discreet transactions, and immediate settlement.

Determining the historical and financial worth of an artifact requires analyzing multiple factors beyond mere age. Seka Antika evaluates items based on production era, provenance, physical preservation, and rarity. The presence of artisan signatures, foundry marks, official seals, imperial decrees, hallmarks, serial numbers, and original documentation plays a vital role during appraisal. The firm also measures aesthetic and craftsmanship quality alongside current secondary market demand among private collectors and institutions.

The purchasing portfolio encompasses a diverse selection of periods, styles, and decorative arts:

• Ottoman heritage and Islamic calligraphy: Handwritten Quran manuscripts, calligraphic panels (hat), illuminated texts (hilye-i sharif), royal firmans, official charters (berat), period seals, traditional costumes, embroidered textiles, prayer cloths, and tobacco cases.
• Silverware and precious metal objects: Hallmarked silver tea and dining sets, decorative trays, ceremonial belts, healing bowls (shifa tasi), and traditional bath accessories.
• Horology: Vintage wristwatches, pocket watches, and mechanical mantel clock sets.
• Rare manuscripts and archival materials: Ottoman Turkish books, historic manuscripts, complete libraries, maps, and varied ephemera.
• Fine arts and decorative objects: Oil paintings, porcelain pieces including Limoges, opaline glassware, tea cups, decorative bowls, tortoiseshell spoons, ornate chandeliers, and period furniture.
• Historic sound and telecommunication equipment: Shellac and vinyl records, gramophones, tube radios, mechanical typewriters, and vintage telephones.
• Collectible accessories: Prayer beads (misbaha), luxury lighters, fountain pens, military medals, decorations, cigarette holders, historical swords, and antique weaponry.
• Ethnographic and rustic artifacts: Carved wooden doors, churns, traditional ceramic storage jars (kup, tagar), and terracotta vessels.

Clients holding unidentified or potentially valuable historical goods can initiate an initial complimentary appraisal remotely. High-resolution photographs showing overall perspective, hallmarks, maker marks, inscriptions, and structural wear can be submitted digitally. Items meeting acquisition criteria proceed to direct physical examination, which can be conducted via scheduled appointments at the client’s premises.

Upon establishing mutual agreement on valuation, transactions are concluded promptly with cash settlement or direct bank wire transfers. Beyond Istanbul, Seka Antika addresses valuation inquiries across Turkey, covering metropolitan areas such as Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, Adana, Trabzon, Gaziantep, and Konya. The organization adheres to strict standards of client discretion and reliable service throughout every stage of the antique appraisal and acquisition process.