Oushak Rugs

What is an Oushak Style rug?

Oushak rugs are named after the city of Oushak located near Istanbul, Turkey. They are recognizable by the quality of their materials, their coarse hand-knotted weave and pile, and the patterns and colors found in their unique aesthetic.

Are Oushak Rugs Good Quality?

Oushak rugs are made with high-quality materials like wool, silk, and cotton, and their materiality is outmatched only by their exquisite craftsmanship. Oushak rugs are hand-knotted for beauty and durability by artists well-versed in weaving patterns and techniques that have been passed down through generations.

Why are Oushak Rugs so Expensive?

The artistry, integrity, materials, and heritage of an Oushak rug are the reasons why they sell for high prices. The size and condition can impact the cost, with larger Oushak rugs bringing in the most money since they are tougher to find in good shape.

Much of that cost is paid because Turkish labor is very expensive and it's getting tougher to find weavers with the knowledge and experience to craft an Oushak rug. These are patterns that require specific knots and steady hands. Unfortunately, fewer individuals possess these skills and those who do may be adopting more modern techniques through their training.

Lastly, producing an Oushak rug can be time consuming. The weaving process is a painstaking set of steps that include shearing and spinning of the wool used in manufacturing, dyeing the wool in small batches, and finally weaving the rug by hand—an incredible amount of work and talent goes into each piece.

How Can You Tell an Oushak Rug?

You can identify an Oushak rug through the geometric motifs and star-like medallions located in the center of the rug and throughout the surface of smaller sizes. These rugs are also known for their use of vine scroll and palmettes spread out across the length of the material. The scope and size of these designs are often grandiose and bombastic, offering a visual cornucopia of patterns and colors to gaze upon for as long as you own the rug.

You can also tell an Oushak rug by the quality and method of the weave. Oushak rugs are hand-knotted, and weavers employ the Ghiordes, or Turkish knot, which is achieved by passing colored weft yarn over two warp yarns before being pulled in between and cut to achieve the form of pile indicative of the style. The result is a rug with loose knotting and longer pile and only the finest-quality wool, cotton, or silk is used in the production of the final product.

Our Favorite Rugs

We have a lot of favorite rugs here at Revival, but there are some types of rugs we come back to again and again. Jute rugs, for instance, for their color, texture, and strength, and their easy flexibility. Plus, jute is an eco-conscious crop, so these rugs are good for the planet. We also love washable rugs: our Recess collection of rugs is designed to be thrown in the washing machine. Runners (sometimes you’ll hear people call these “runner rugs”) are probably our most favorite size of rugs: thanks to their slimmer size, you can put them everywhere—and they’re more affordable, too.