What is an Oushak Rug?

 
History behind Oushak Rugs

  
Oushak rugs had a humble beginning just south of Istanbul, Turkey. Their namesake comes from their place of true origin, Oushak. The Oushak carpet is considered to be Persian-influenced unlike most Turkish rugs. The town of Oushak has been considered to be a grand production center for Turkish rugs ever since the 15th century-- before that,  Oushak rugs were made by nomads for their own necessities.

  
Materials and Texture

When it comes to materials and texture, Oushak craftsmanship is considered to be one of the finest, as they not only consider the quality but also the carpet’s aesthetic appeal. Some of the common materials for the vintage Oushak rugs are wool, cotton, silk, and even metal threads. The foundation of Oushak carpets is cotton while the pile is made of wool.

  
Weaving Techniques

 
Not everyone can weave an Oushak. Just like any other rug, Oushak requires experienced and sturdy hands. What makes it stand out from the others is its history. The weaving artistry has been passed down through generations, from mother to daughter, father to son. Though one can still trace the weaving patterns geographically, there are some places where weavers have been trained knot that are not common in the area. The artistry is very rich and though there have been new modifications, the original weaving cannot be easily replaced.

The most important thing to consider is the density as well as the knot size. It is crucial to know how the knots are tied because if it is loosely woven then it may feel flimsy in one’s hand and will not wear as well as a sturdier rug.

  
Designs and Patterns

 
The silky, luminous wool is what makes a true Oushak rug. These Turkish Oushak rugs are unique in both pattern and color palette as most of them have a dark ivory or golden backdrop highlighted by geometric or floral motifs. The prayer rugs, however, feature some sacred colors such as green. All of these rich colors are made with natural vegetable dyes. The latest commercial woven ones feature a soft red undertone as its primary color. It showcases some large-scale floral motifs in a bright blue field. Oushaks are generally known for their fine quality wool so the luxurious feel of it helps to be out the colors luminosity, further enhancing the vintage Oushak rug’s beauty.

  
Available Sizes

Oushak carpets can be found in standard sizes such as 6 x 9, 8 x 10, 9 x 12, 10 x 14, 12 x 15, 13 x 18, 14 x 19, and 14 x 22. Some of these beautiful vintage Oushak rugs also come as Runners. These rugs normally range from small to mid-size, though large rugs can be found. Oushak rugs go perfect with any setting, especially for the modern home or office, and are considered to be the designer’s choice for the living room, family room, or any formal room.

 Check out our Oushak Oriental rugs for sale.