Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Handmade Wool Rug

This circa-1920 antique features an intricate all-over design of geometric abstractions and Oriental motifs, such as the herati pattern, in pastel blue and sharply outlined brown against a field of light olive yellow. Arabesques and floral patterns against an icy blue main border complete the antique carpet. Oushak rugs are renowned for their silky, luminous wool and a weaving pattern that employs traditional tribal techniques, namely the use of larger knots and an all-wool foundation. As these works are often considered some of the finest Oriental , many of the masterpieces of the 15th and 16th centuries have been attributed to the Oushak tradition. The late 19th century saw the rejuvenation of Oriental rug production, and at this time Oushak resurfaced as a preeminent center of the weaving industry. During this Renaissance, floral patterns in the Persian tradition were incorporated into design and decorative antique area rugs were woven as European standards demanded.