Atatürk's Historic Sugar Bowl Donated to Anıtkabir After Public Outcry
A silver-plated sugar bowl, once used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on his yacht Savarona and marked with his initials, has found a new home. The piece, which sparked discussions debate over its sale and ownership, has been officially donated to Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of the founding leader of Türkiye.
Initially, the sugar bowl was set to be auctioned off, with bids reaching up to 30,000 Turkish Liras (around $720). However, following media coverage and public outcry, the owner, a shipowner and collector, requested that the piece be donated to the Anıtkabir Museum Command instead.
The donation was made official by Hüseyin Aybar, who handed over the sugar bowl to the museum. The auction house, which had been set to facilitate the sale, was recognised as the donor on record, putting an end to the public debate. Experts had previously debated the legality of selling the bowl, with some arguing it should remain part of Türkiye's national heritage due to its historical significance.
The sugar bowl, which bears Atatürk's initials and is believed to have been used on his yacht Savarona, will now be preserved as part of Türkiye's shared cultural heritage at Anıtkabir. This resolution aligns with the country's protection laws for cultural assets, which generally prohibit the sale of historically significant items outside government oversight.
