Fine Turkish Ushak Carpet – Oversize

Rug #2518
Size: 414 x 333 cm / 13.6 x 10.9 ft
Handwoven in: 
Materials: 
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POA

Fine Turkish Ushak Oversize Carpet – Wool – Neutral complexion on orange base with navy border and ivory accents

Fine Turkish Ushak carpet, in a dimension considered oversize, handwoven from wool in Turkey. Neutral complexion on orange base with navy border and ivory accents.

The relationship between Persian and Turkish weaving is a long and complex one. Both countries have weaving cultures that can be divided into three main strands: Indigenous village and tribal weaving, the court-orientated carpets of the Safavids and Ottomans, (i.e. so-called ‘Classical’ carpets of the 16th to 18th centuries predominantly), and urban weavings of the 19th and 20th centuries. The Ottoman Turkish court and aristocracy throughout the 16th and 17th centuries seem to have favoured Persian town carpets above those of their own workshops in Ushak and elsewhere. Evidence for this comes from the significant number of major Safavid carpets either documented, or by oral tradition, supposed to have been captured from Turkish viziers and military commanders during the various Ottoman campaigns in eastern and central Europe throughout the 17th century. There is also the unresolved, and now perhaps the unresolvable problem of what was woven in Tabriz during the 16th century when it was constantly being captured by the Ottomans then taken back by the Safavids during a series of wars. Certainly the large medallion carpets now generally attributed to Tabriz seem to have been the direct source for the large Medallion carpets woven in Ushak from the 16th century through to the 18th century. There has been an Armenian involvement in rug weaving throughout the Middle East from at least the Safavid times and almost certainly further back than that.

This highly decorative Turkish Ushak is a superb example of this established and recognised relationship between Persian and Turkish weaving. The Carpet is woven with characteristic high quality lustrous wool associated with Ushak weaving. The composition is well balanced, open and spacious with the floral elements drawn in characteristic rectilinear style. This drawing fits well in both traditional and more contemporary settings, which is testimony to the longevity of the style of design which is timeless. Noteworthy related to this is the colour scheme as presented. The background colour is a magnificent coral / ginger shade, and the pattern elements presented in wonderful pastel shades of blue, pale saffron and ivory, with brown accent tones used to great artistic effect in order to maximise the visual harmony of the composition. Furthermore the deep blue border acts as a magnificent contrast and frame which enhances the harmonic composition enclosing floral elements presented in a similar open drawing style and in complementary colours associated with the colours used in the main field.
Overall this represents an outstanding example of Ushak weaving, clearly made by accomplished, experienced weavers, presenting the very best of Ushak weaving tradition stemming from the revival period established in the late 19th century.

For further information please contact us and our team will be pleased to assist you. All pieces in the collection are under the auspices of Essie Sakhai, one of the world’s foremost experts and collectors of fine handmade Persian rugs and carpets.

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