Description
74173 Late 19th Century Antique Turkish Oushak Area Rug, 14'02 x 15'07.
Woven in the twilight of the Ottoman Empire, this majestic hand-knotted wool Turkish Oushak rug from the Late 19th Century stands as a precious relic of Anatolia’s enduring artistic legacy. At its heart, a sumptuous red cusped lozenge medallion unfurls with iconic grace, its form delicately crowned with palmette finials that echo the grandeur of imperial motifs. This central jewel rests upon a field washed in an abrashed, painterly fusion of subdued pistachio and soft avocado hues—tones that whisper of old gardens and sun-warmed stone courtyards. The composition is exquisite, revealing a harmony between bold geometry and botanical elegance, evoking a sense of refined serenity.
Framing the signature medallion, a pair of large-scale serrated weeping willows bloom in stylized symmetry, their elegant forms reaching toward eternity with a quiet, organic rhythm. Blossoming palmettes and florid tendrils rise around them, forming a poetic tableau of Anatolian flora—each motif a tribute to nature rendered through the lens of sophisticated abstraction. Between the quarter panels, stemmed vines extend like lyrical brushstrokes, radiating outward in layers of movement and vitality. The palette, though softened by age, retains its lavish contrasts: reds converse vibrantly with greens, while golden saffron and faded sage glimmer beneath the surface, lending the textile a timeless glow.
The field itself pulses with intricate detail—a bespoke language of geometric symbolism and botanical reverie. Small abstract motifs cluster like constellations, creating a dense yet harmonious pattern that captures both rhythm and repose. This rug, with its diamond medallion and gently mirrored spandrels, is not merely decorative; it is a meditation on balance and continuity. Woven in wool dyed by hand, its every knot speaks to the impeccable craftsmanship of Anatolia’s weavers, whose hands preserved an ancestral artistry passed down through generations of elite textile makers.
Encircling the central field, the main border offers a visual cadence of rectilinear floral elements—a structured yet animated procession of blossoms and leaves, geometric yet unmistakably organic. Framed with harmonizing guard bands, the border’s rhythm reflects the compositional integrity of the rug, lending a flawless finish to this opulent tableau of motifs. The contrast between the orderly perimeter and the free-flowing vitality of the interior creates an aesthetic tension that feels both dynamic and serene. In this tension lies the secret of Oushak’s enduring allure: its ability to balance grandeur and grace, tradition and innovation.
To possess this antique Turkish Oushak rug is to hold a piece of cultural nobility—an exclusive creation that bridges centuries of heritage with the enduring language of design. It is more than a floor covering; it is an artisanal masterpiece steeped in decadent beauty, capturing the essence of a world where textiles were revered as both functional and spiritual. As timeless today as it was over a century ago, this rug invites us into a story told in wool, where each faded hue and flowing line reflects the soul of a civilization and the glamorous legacy of Anatolian luxury.
- Rendered in variegated shades of avocado, moss, pistachio, fern, olive, scarlet red, ruby red, rose, and light pink.
- Abrash.
- Hand-knotted wool.
- Made in Turkey.
- Measures: 14'02 X 15'07.
- Date: 1870's. Late 19th Century.