Oushak rugs are beautiful, handmade carpets from Turkey with unique patterns and colors. They add warmth and style to any room, making them popular choices in home décor.
Curious about home elegance? Dive into the world of Oushak rugs – these Turkish treasures weave stories of timeless beauty and cultural richness, turning your living space into a haven of distinctive charm. Explore what makes an Oushak rug more than just a floor covering – it’s a tapestry of tradition and style that transforms your home with every intricate thread.
In this article, we are going to tell you the history of Oushak rugs and their beautiful features. Let’s dive into this blog with us to learn what is an Oushak rug.
What is an Oushak rug and its history?
Oushak rugs, also known as Ushak, are famous due to their unique style and broad floral patterns. They were first knitted and appeared in Western Turkey and Persia. They make the space softer and add more charm to it.
Regardless of its modern appearance, Oushak rugs still have the same aesthetic as their classic predecessors.
Beginnings
An antique Oushak rug was first formed in a city, whose name was Oushak. Later on, due to the popularity of these rugs, they started to be called Oushak rugs.
First, these were made just for personal use by wanderers who migrated from Central Asia. Since the 15th century, Oushak has become the center of aesthetic manufacturing of Turkish rugs.
How Did Oushak Rugs Become Popular In The West?
The antique Oushak rugs are very famous in the United States and abroad. Due to their popularity and larger-than-life pattern, they have taken up a special space in most houses.
In the 17th century, Europeans started buying their rugs and carpets from European merchants. Over the past few decades, they have dominated with their style in the United States and Europe. Especially in Europe, their trend started in the 17th century and remained for much longer. They started buying Turkish carpets and rugs from European merchants.
In the middle of the 17th and 18th centuries, their trend went down, and Europeans started inclined towards more complicated designs of French Aubusson and Savonnerie rugs.
However, when the Oushak rugs again came back into fashion in the 19th century, Oushak gave up making the carpets. The nearby localities adopted their ability and started knitting carpets and rugs using traditional processes.
In Persia, which is well known for weaving eastern carpets, the vogue of Oushak rugs fell out. Later on, demand for Oushak rugs overcame the weavers’ taste.
Approximately 40 years ago, during the study of bigger mosques’ carpets and rugs in Istanbul (i.e., the Sultan Ahmet Mosque), anthropologists found out that hundreds of floor coverings cover floors. Scientists also discovered that almost every rug was produced in Oushak.
Due to Turkish Oushak carpets’ popularity in the interior design industry, they are also known as “decorative rugs” in the West.
Characteristic of Oushak rugs
Below are some characteristics of Oushak rugs.
Materials
Oushak’s artists were the most excellent in history. Quality and aesthetic appeal were their top priority. Quality is also preferred in hand-weaved rugs. The materials used in antique Oushak rugs are cotton, silk, wool, and metal threads. Their base is cotton and the pile is wool.
Cotton is converted into hand-spun wool, then it is colored by using natural plant or vegetable colors, including saffron, blazing terracotta, deep blues, apricots, and rich cinnamon. After this process is done, wool is weaved to create carpets.
Weaving
Not everyone can be an artist of Oushak rugs. It demands strong hands, patience, and enthusiasm. The art of weaving has been moved down from generation to generation.
Though trends are changing day by day, the original weaving is still not replaceable. The most crucial thing to know is the knot size and how they are being knotted. If your knot is tied loosely in the woven, it may feel fragile and will not look like a sturdier rug.
The whole game of weaving lies around tying the knot. An equipment named Punja is used for the rugs’ knotting. Customers should check the knot density carefully before buying Oushak rugs and carpets.
Designs and Patterns
An antique Oushak rug is made up of velvety, radiant wool. These rugs appear versatile and distinctive in both patterns and colors. Their background colors are mostly dark ivory and golden with a touch of geometric or floral patterns drawn on dark ivory, soft red, bright blue, and golden backgrounds.
Green colour which is considered a sacred colour, is mostly used in Prayer mats and carpets. All colors are derived from vegetables or fruits. The color scheme is their game changer, it enhances the beauty of vintage Oushak rugs.
Also Read: What Size Rug For Living Room With Sectional?
Features and Patterns of Oushak Rugs
The main features and patterns of Oushak Rugs rugs are mentioned below.
Fine Wool carpets
Oushak rugs are well-known handcrafted rugs and they last for many years without getting torn and ruined. High-density wool is their base product. Wool is best for its durability, flame resistance, breathability, and soft nature. Due to all these properties, Oushak rugs are more useful than other rugs.
Wide range of designs
Oushak rugs are famous for their wide floral, rustic, and geometric designs in home decor. The use of natural vegetable and fruit dyes creates a very classic look and enhances their charm and durability.
Easy maintenance
Oushak rugs are easy to maintain and clean. These rugs are made up of cotton and cotton is not so prone to getting stained. If it has any stains, it can be cleaned very easily.
Incredibly Versatile
If you are looking for the best carpets and rugs for your living room, bedroom, office, or any other area of your home, then go nowhere other than Oushak rugs. These rugs give a very classic and traditional look to your place due to their designs.
Softer Hues
Dark-colored rugs are most easy to maintain because they hide stains in them. That is why people like them most, they can go for a long time without washing. Dark hues absorb more light than soft hues and make the room look small.
With the combination of dark-colored furniture, Soft-coloured Oushak rugs give the place a very pleasant and warm look and feel more classic than darker hues. Soft hues like light brown, light blue, beige, light green, and off-white are commonly used in these rugs.
Softer hues make the room look bigger than dark hues.
Soft Texture
Oushak rugs have high heaps that make them softer than Baluchi and Kilim rugs. They can withstand the pressure and high foot traffic without undergoing damage. They present a very pleasant and eye-catchy look to the eyes.
How to Identify Authentic Oushak Rugs?
Following are some instructions, while choosing an Oushak rug:
- It should be hand-knotted, and rugs of more knots should be a priority.
- Check if the rug is naturally vegetable-dyed or not, don’t buy chemical-dyed rugs. Chemical dyes can damage your rugs easily.
- Buy always from trustable and authentic rug dealers. Reputable rug merchants will allow you to take it with you to your home for testing purposes.
Care and maintenance of Oushak rugs
The proper care and maintenance of Oushak rugs are most important. Below are a few tips and tricks mentioned that will help you.
1. Limited sun exposure
Excessive sun exposure can damage its color as well as its wool. So keep your antique Oushak rug away from sun-exposing places, or put any barrier like any curtain or window between it.
2. Heavy objects
They can withstand high foot traffic, but still keeping heavy objects on them can limit their durability. Heavy objects can leave permanent marks on their surface. So, it’s better to avoid putting heavy objects on your Oushak carpets and rugs.
3. Maintain cleanliness
It is well-known that if you want to increase the durability of your things for a long time, make them clean properly and regularly. So, clean them properly and don’t use hot water and strong chemical cleaning products. They may damage the wool of rugs.
Also Read: How To Clean Fringe On Oriental Rug?
4. Regular vacuuming
For maintaining cleanliness, Vacuum is also a good option. Try to vacuum your rug every third day or at least one time in a week. It will prevent it from piling up the dirt and debris in the fibers of rugs. If you have children and pets, then vacuum it more frequently.
5. Wash them properly
The longevity of your rugs depends upon their proper maintenance. Wash it when necessary. After washing it, make sure that there is no residue of soap or any detergent. Must dry it completely in the sun.
6. Stain removal
Target just that specific area that is stained, use any good quality soap or cleaner on it. Then rinse with water and let it dry properly before spreading it in the room. Never wash your Oushak rugs in the washing machine, it may get damaged.
7. Keep away from humidity
Keep an Oushak rug away from humid places like the washroom etc. The humidity can damage its vibrant fibers and wool. Keep it in rooms where natural light easily gets in or use it outdoors.
FAQs
Conclusion
In short, in the answer to the question, what is an Oushak rug? It can be said that Oushak rugs originated from Oushak, Turkey. They were introduced in the West in the 17th century by European merchants.
They are made up of 100% natural wool and natural vegetable dyes are used for dyeing them. They give the room a very traditional and classic look. Believe us, your room is begging you for them, due to their classic touch and all the above-mentioned properties.
