Old Turkish tribal unwool from Anatolian Mountains
8’7×9’8
Antique Turkish with a rare Caucasian design.
9×12
Antique Turkish Oushak rugs have been woven in Western Turkey since the beginning of the Ottoman period
This 17thCentury Classical Oushak carpet is an superb example of the best-known group of classical Ottoman workshop weavers. In the 16th century, carpet weaving was revered as one of the highest forms of art by the Turkish court. Weavers of that time had tremendous resources at their disposal in creating objects of the utmost beauty. These carpets are made to reflect the power and refinement of the Ottoman Empire. Here, the bold central medallions flanked by half medallions, juxtaposed with the delicately drawn tracery vines proudly display this carpet´s court patronage heritage. Turkish design traditions, dictated that all designs were endless in the eyes of God, and that an artist was only able to capture a small portion of any given design for earthly representation by confining the repeat within a border. The power of these carpets was appreciated by the rulers of the East as well as by the noble, aristocratic and richer classes of Europe. Beginning in the early 16th century, Oushak Medallion carpets were featured in European portraits to signify the wealth, stature and taste of the sitter. One of the most famous of these early depictions is a posthumous portrait of Henry VIII and his family attributed to Lucas de Heere.
11’1 x 15’9
Finest Turkish Angora Oushak carpet such as this one are desirable today as highly decorative pieces. They come in central medallion designs as well as patterns of smaller allover medallions or scattered sprays of vine scroll and palmettes.
