Ask an interior designer to name a rug that makes a room, and Oushak comes up again and again. Soft, decorative, generously scaled, and endlessly flexible with color, the Oushak has been a favorite for well over a century.
Where they come from
Oushak (Ushak) carpets originate in the small region of Oushak in west-central Anatolia, just south of Istanbul. The region had a major export boom from around 1870 to 1910, with the finest examples woven in the 1880s and 1890s. Influenced by Persian design but unmistakably Turkish in palette, they carved out their own decorative identity.
Why designers reach for them
- Scale. Oushaks were made large, perfect for living and dining rooms.
- Open drawing. Spacious fields read beautifully under furniture.
- Color. Soft golds, terracottas, soft blues, and ivories that play well with almost any scheme.
The big caveat: the “Oushak look”
When prices for good 19th-century examples peaked in the early 2000s, producers in several countries flooded the market with “Oushak design” rugs, often poor wool, chemically washed to fake a faded look, and lacking the true Turkish understanding of color. They imitate the silhouette but not the soul.
A genuine piece uses indigenous Turkish wool and dyes and authentic color sense. We also offer a small group of true revival recreations woven near Konya, New Old Stock, since that production ceased in 2007, so what exists is all there will ever be.
What to look for
Check the wool for luster, the dyes for natural variation, and the back for hand-knotting. And size to your room: Oushaks shine at 9×12 and up, and as long gallery runners.
Have a question about a specific rug? We answer personally: price, condition, photos, and shipping. Get in touch or explore our antique Persian rugs for sale.