Gobeklitepe’s Enchanting Talismans Reimagined 'n a New Collection by Başak Dizer Tatlıtuğ
We collaborated with Başak Dizer Tatlıtuğ to bring to l'fe the new Gobeklitepe Gold Collect'on for the new year. To celebrate, we had a short conversat'on with Başak about this captivating collaboration.
We invite you to discover our inspiring partnership and the mesmerizing new collection.
Who is Başak Dizer Tatlıtuğ?
After completing her fashion design education at Milano Moda di Burgo, she studied fashion design at Central Saint Martins in London. Upon returning to Istanbul, she began working as a men’s design assistant at Vakko/Vakkorama. Three years later, she joined Bilsar as a designer, where she worked on exclusive collections for years. She later co-founded Room Showroom with Deniz Marşan in 2013, a styling, showroom, and consultancy firm. Today, they work on styling for TV series and films on digital platforms, as well as celebrity collaborations, advertising campaigns, and consulting for brands.
What does jewelry mean to you?
For me, fashion, design, trends, art, and architecture are all interconnected. Jewelry design is naturally a part of that whole. As both a designer and stylist, I know just how essential accessories are—they’re an indispensable element in any look. That’s why jewelry is a true passion and curiosity of mine. They’re like miniature sculptures—art pieces that complete a look. It’s a pleasure to wear and design them. They become part of our lives—precious memories passed down for generations.
How did this collection come to life?
I was already a fan and user of their first Gobeklitepe-inspired collection. During a trip to the region last year, I was deeply moved by the grandeur of the ruins. It’s incredibly awe- inspiring that all of humanity may have originated on these very lands… When I was shown new figures discovered from this ancient civilization, I immediately wanted to be part of the project as a designer.
We transformed these talismans into a striking, bold collection with the skilled craftsmanship of artisans from different parts of Turkey. We have incredibly talented gold and diamond craftsmen, and seeing their skills firsthand gave me both courage and inspiration.
The Luna Merdin Gold Collection and the Gobeklitepe theme mark the beginning of timeless art objects that will be passed down through generations. Our reference point was the miraculous symbols that remained hidden for centuries and have only recently come to light. Once combined with gold and diamonds, these meaningful symbols gained a whole new life. Now we can carry them with us and feel their mystery resonate within our aura in a positive way. This is a magical collection—crafted by Mardin artisans—reaching the present day as jewelry and fine art.
You used new symbols and talismans based on Gobeklitepe’s ruins. Can you tell us more about them?
The symbols in this collection were selected based on the archaeological remains and the work of historians and scholars studying Gobeklitepe. It is believed that these ruins are the remnants of a temple built as part of a belief system. For the first time in history, a hunter-gatherer society built a temple even before settling down.
Every figure and symbol used in the temple holds meaning. While not all interpretations are conclusive, historians have some compelling theories about them.
We selected five unique figures for this collection, which we refer to as talismans:
- Talisman of Power: Bird-Man
- Talisman of Vital Energy: Serpent
- Talisman of Balance: Diamond
- Talisman of Renewal: Hands
- Talisman of Harmony: Wheat
Which talisman impacted you the most?
The Wheat Talisman had the greatest impact on me—this symbol is deeply significant for these lands.
The first people who came to this site for worship discovered wild wheat here, which eventually led to the development of settled life. They even used fermented drinks made from this wild grain in their rituals.
Wheat bends with every storm but remains standing. It symbolizes flexibility and harmony.
We believe that by carrying this ancient talisman in the form of Luna Merdin jewelry, one can embody the same resilience—to adapt without breaking, even under difficult conditions.
Gold is the main material in the collection. What other materials and stones did you use?
Yes, we used gold as it is known to balance body energy. In addition, we featured natural stones believed to enhance body energy—Crystal Quartz and Onyx are highlights of the collection.
Crystal Quartz helps prevent the loss of strength and vitality. It cleanses a person’s energy and aura, balances emotions, and improves concentration.
Onyx, known as a grounding stone, promotes positive thoughts, helps relieve depression, and provides motivation. It's effective against stress.
We made sure the backs of the stones remained open, allowing them to touch the skin—this enhances their energetic impact. We applied handcrafted engravings onto the stones using special tools and enriched the jewelry with white and black diamonds for added brilliance. For enamel, we used black and white, making these colors the defining palette of the collection.