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How to Tell If Your Rug Is an Antique Oushak Rug

By Grubb Young

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 19Mar2010
Word count: 440
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Oushak, or Ushak, carpets originated during the early Ottoman Empire in the region around and including the Turkish city of Usak. They are heavy woolen rugs that are crafted using Ghiordes knots. Up until the late 17th century, these carpets were vastly popular in Europe. Today, antique Oushak rugs are once again popular, both for aesthetic and craftsmanship reasons.

Antique Oushak rugs are renowned for their lasting beauty. Traditional Oushak designs are generally vibrantly colored in shades of golds, blues, terracottas, cinnamons, saffron yellows, greens, greys, and ivory whites. Before the late 19th century, Oushak rugs featured star and medallion designs and intricate borders. It was this design style that captured the attention of painters Lorenzo Lotto and Hans Holbein the Younger. Both Lotto and Holbein regularly painted the rugs into their works in intricate detail. Many antique Oushak rugs are labeled as "Lotto" or "Holbein" rugs because they, or carpets very similar in design, are featured in these painters' works.

The European market once again favored the craftsmanship and colors of Oushak rugs in the late 19th century. To meet the demand, Oushak rug makers began manufacturing rugs on a larger scale. As the previous two centuries had seen the market favor Persian rugs, Oushak craftsman added Persian rug characteristics to the Oushak designs. Now, stars and medallions were being mixed with floral patterns. The other obvious alteration in Oushak rug design in the 19th century was size. Made by hand with the finest wool, Oushak rugs had never before been large enough to suit European styles. With the rejuvenation of the Oushak industry, the rugs became available in room sizes.

Oushak rugs are still made today in Usak, Turkey and the surrounding region by craftsmen who have passed the designs and hand weaving techniques down through generations. Though more commercial weaving techniques are often now used, they are still woven from the same fine wool that antique Oushak rugs are woven from. As much as the designs and textures, it is the soft, luxurious wool that these vibrant rugs are sought for. The wool's luminescent qualities help make the colors brighter and bolder, which is why many antique Oushak rug colors are still vibrant today.

Like many types of antique wool rugs, Oushaks are still sought for their beauty and hardiness. The use of fine wool and craftsmanship is a combination that has caused many of the earliest Oushak rugs to last centuries. Oushak carpets of modern making are just as well built and still feature stars and medallions with a touch of Persian florals. Even with a floral design, your Oushak rug may still be an antique.

Antique rugs are more than just floor covering- they are works of art. Woven Accents seeks the finest woven floor coverings from all over the world and works hard to match each customer with the perfect antique carpet for each space. Of course, many new rugs are also made by hand and Woven Accents is happy to offer a comprehensive selection. See the gallery at: http://www.wovenonline.com

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