A cultural mosaic emanates as an inherent consequence of proceeding of time in conjunction with time.

Cultural formations, consisting of various meanings and significance, ensures human beings to

fraternize and forge bonds with their pasts. The history of Turkish Culture incorporates various

traditions, customs and folkways, each serving as a cultural element. Such differentiations emerging as

a consequence of synthesis of the Central Asian Culture with the Anatolian Culture and Islamic Culture,

constitutes an affluence. It has been observed that traditions, customs and folkways, having a

substantial place in the Turkish Culture, have been substantially amended, altered and changed and

even disappeared upon the influence of time and societies. Matrimony customs and traditions have

been coming into prominence throughout the History of the Turkish Culture as formations having

substantial place and influence on human lives and society. Upon reviewing the requirements of

matrimony in historical terms, it is observed that the matrimony is considered and recognized by the

Turkish people as the foundation of family, serving as a cornerstone of the society and bearing a

universal meaning and the tradition of dowry occupies a substantial place and role in the process of the

formation of family. Dowry given to the bride by the bride’s household is accumulated in a chest and

the dowry chest, therefore, bears a substantial and precious meaning in terms of practitioners of this

tradition.

In this study, the concept of family as well as the matrimony and dowry tradition in the History of

Turkish Culture shall be addressed concisely, and the tradition of the dowry chest shall be reviewed in

consideration of the concept of dowry and the representation of chest and therefore, the dowry chest

shall be discussed as a cultural value.