Ushak carpet

Uşak carpets, Ushak carpets or Oushak Carpets (Turkish: Uşak Halısı) are Turkish carpets that use a particular family of designs, called by convention after the city of Uşak, Turkey – one of the larger towns in Western Anatolia, which was a major center of rug production from the early days of the Ottoman Empire, into the early 20th century (although these patterns were woven in other regions also).

Classification

Historically Ushaks were classified as ‘Anatolian Rugs,’ Anatolian literally translating to ‘land of the rising sun.’ Today scholars know much more about Oushaks and are able to classify them as such. ‘Anatolian’ is used as a last resort when a more specific identification cannot be found; at which point ‘Anatolian’ refers to a carpet made in Turkey.

The level of international popularity attained by Uşak's carpets became such that the word "Ushak" is considered an English word of Turkic origin

In the European market

In the European markets, the earlier types of Turkish carpets, before the "star" type, are now often called "Lotto carpets" and "Holbein carpets". The terms make reference to their depiction in minute detail in paintings by Lorenzo Lotto and Hans Holbein the Younger, in which they are often placed in a way to brighten the background, and suggest status. The region of Uşak still remains a vibrant center of hand-made carpet weaving today.

In the American market

Many Turkish rug companies make products for customers in the United States. They manufacture carpets and rugs in Turkey and distribute them to American markets through major retailers and online channels. Most of the rugs are machine-made yet designed with a traditional Ushak look.

History of market popularity

After the 17th century, Ushaks (Ovshaks), development of Oushak rug weaving is less well known.