The weaving workshops of Western Anatolia, where Oushak carpets such as this piece were made, have a rich history, stretching back at least as far as the Early Modern era – as the 14th Century explorer Marco Polo once wrote, ‘here they make the most beautiful silks and carpets in the world, and with the most beautiful colours.’ These were among the earliest carpets to reach the Western market, and feature in in many of the paintings of the Old Masters, including those of Holbein, Vermeer, and Reubens. During the 19th Century, these pieces were highly sought after in the West, inspiring many of the designs of European weavings of the period, and can be found in grand historic homes across the UK and Europe.

This handsome example dating to the beginning of the 20th Century is woven in lustrous wool, and features a bold graphic drawing rendered in a variety of natural vegetable-dyed colours, including various greens and gentle aubergine tones accented by sky-blue, all atop a pleasant light terracotta red field. Besides its unconventional square shape, another unique and attractive feature of this carpet is the uniformity in colour of both the border and the central field, providing a balance to its design and aesthetic versatility, allowing it to blend in nicely in a variety of interior styles.

This antique Oushak carpet is in very good practical condition for every day use, still retaining its original outer borders and fringes on all sides – its vegetable dyes have taken on a mellow patina with age.

A sophisticated example, able to enhance various interiors both classic and contemporary.