An ancient profession, antique dealing

Opened in İzmir's historical Kemeraltı Bazaar, the Antique Dealers Bazaar brings its visitors on a journey through time. Erkan Sert is one of the dealers at the bazaar who has been selling antique and collectible nostalgic products in his shop for 25 years.

Sert, who finds the antique objects sometimes by chance and sometimes by chasing them, displays the rarest pieces in his shop.

Stating that he did not have his own belongings in his childhood because he was born into a poor family, Sert said that for this reason, he loved to deal with old and vintage objects.

"Other people's garbage is our source of living. If you really like this job, you can do it. This is an exciting, enjoyable and adventurous job. At first, you don't want to sell the objects you have, but after a certain period of time and when you become a professional, there is no object that you can't sell. Some objects have sentimental value. Of course, there are also objects that I keep for myself," he said.

While describing his professional life, Sert stated he started the business of antique dealing by chance. "I was helping one of my friends in his shop, and I sold two objects. Then with his guidance, I entered the world of antiques. There are several different ways to obtain objects. The first of these are flea markets. When we go to flea markets very early in the morning, we see people who come even before us. Also, some people go to warehouses or other antique shops. They bring the objects to us, and we buy the ones we like. Another way is that household items are given to us by the relatives of deceased people. They sell all the items in the house. We pay for it and choose the ones that work."

An Ottoman-era crown cap

Stating that he...