Object Description
The weaving workshops of Western Anatolia, where Oushak carpets such as this piece were originally made, have a rich history, stretching back at least as far as the Early Modern era – as the 14th Century explorer Marco Polo once wrote, ‘here they make the most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, and continue to be widely sought after today, thanks to their grand scale drawing, delicate colours and silky wool.
This striking example has a grand-scall all-over design, inspired by earlier weavings of the 17th Century, in a wide palette of gracefully aged vegetable-dyed colours. Being an earlier weaving, this carpet has a much finer palatte than one finds in later examples, with a warm red ground accented by pleasant tones of sage green, denim blue, and mauve grey, framed by a wide, decorative border.
In very good practical condition for every day use, this Antique Oushak carpet has retained its original plain outer borders on all sides, boasting a tasteful age-related patina.
A handsome example with the versatility to suit a wide variety of interior styles – rare in this large, square-ish format.