Oushak

This monumental Oushak carpet was most likely produced as a special commission. Sourced from Kinsky Palace in Vienna, it appears to be an early 20th century copy of a celebrated circa 1500 silk pile Egyptian Mamluk carpet acquired by MAK, the Museum for Applied Arts in Vienna from the Imperial Hapsburg family after the First World War. While we do not have the supporting documentation, it is quite plausible that this Oushak rendition was commissioned to replace the original donated to the museum. Here the luminous bright silk pile of the original has been translated into luxurious soft Anatolian wool. Drawing is superb faithfully rendering the intricate kaleidoscopic segments of the original. In order to maximize their soft tactile quality, Oushak carpets use larger knots. Hence, the border here has been reduced to accommodate the full articulation of the field.