Turkish Oushak with Heriz-Serapi Design | 11x13

This Turkish Oushak (also spelled Ushak or Usak) rug was woven in the early 1980's in Usak, Turkey.  It was hand knotted by our weavers in our workshops, imported by Turamco (our Oriental rug import company) and has remained in our inventory in excellent condition ever since. It has all of the most important characteristics that make it both a strong hearty rug that will hold up in any heavy traffic situation and a beautiful representation of a modern classic Oriental rug that will hold and eventually gain value over the long term.

This carpet offers the owner a wide range of design possibilities ranging from casual and contemporary to elegant and classic.  This versatility is one of the main reasons that our Turkish Oushaks have been so popular for so long.  They have transitioned through different interior design fashions and fads and have continued to be sought after and used in all of these looks.  We have placed Oushak rugs in traditional New England estates, Florida and Carolina beach bungalows, Arts & Crafts homes, Contemporary New York City Pentahouses, Mountain cabins, corporate offices, country clubs and hotels.

In fact the rugs of the Arts & Crafts movement are very much derivative of Oushaks in both design and weave.  The rugs of Donegal by C.F.A Vosey and the rugs of  William Morris have nearly the same feel in texture as well as size and spacing of motifs.  Early photographs of the interiors designed by these pioneers of home decor show original (now antique) Oushaks where the first rugs they chose to use.

This particular carpet is derivative of a center medallion, Heriz or Serapi design from the 1870's to 1890's with large geometric motifs in a fairly open layout.  The colors are wonderfully soft and mellow and the pile is lustrous.  The wool is of excellent quality and so has a plush and almost silky feel.  The handle, felt when gripping the edge of the rug, is supple due to the wool foundation (warp and weft) but not floppy.  It has a very heavy hand because of the tightly spun, long staple wool used.  An expert collector of Oriental rugs knows that this weight, oil rich texture and firm yet pliable handle translate into this being the very best quality of Oushak carpets.

The size of this rug is a fairly unusual being closer to square than the norm, 11x13, with a highly unusal width of 11 feet (most rugs are either 10 feet or 12 feet wide).  This squarish layout actually works very well in more recently built homes which often have large square bedrooms, family rooms and living rooms.

Because this rug was woven so many years ago and still remains in excellent condition and because of its authenticity as on of the last of the real Turkish Oushaks created it is considered a very good investment that should see an increase in value that will be fairly substantial over its lifetime.   Given average use and regular care it will likely be enjoyed for at least 100 years.