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Description
73790 Late 19th Century Antique Turkish Oushak Rug, 09'03 x 15'04.
Woven beneath the Anatolian sun in the late 19th century, this hand-knotted antique Turkish Oushak rug glows with the enduring warmth of terra cotta, golden ochre, viridian, and pomegranate hues—its palette enriched by time and softened by history. The field unfolds in a burnished red, a canvas upon which the symphony of motifs unfurls in poetic rhythm. A tree of life climbs through the heart of the composition, flanked by mirrored paired birds—symbols of harmony and divine protection. From this sacred tree stem scrolling floral vines, each flower meticulously arranged in symmetrical succession. Tulips nod in stylized forms as prayers for paradise, while carnations—symbols of purity and eternal love—blossom with grace. Between them, diamond rosettes and hooked blossoms echo unity and cosmic balance, their repetition grounding the composition in spiritual order.
Within the lozenge-shaped pendants, we find a network of symbolic life. Pairs of ram’s horn motifs—kocboynuzu—signal masculine power, strength, and fertility, while elibelinde or hands-on-hips motifs represent the female form and the life-giving force of womanhood. These motifs are often woven together to form the bereket or fertility symbol, a sacred emblem of union, family, and abundance. Interwoven between them are delicate crosses and eye-shaped glyphs believed to ward off the evil eye and safeguard the family against unseen malevolence. There are also scatterings of protective comb or hand motifs—hourglass forms with trident ends—woven like whispered charms to brush away misfortune.
The corner spandrels introduce a delicate architectural flourish with a gridwork lattice in pale blue and olive, mimicking tiled screens or geometric garden walls. These spandrels act as visual sanctuaries, resting places for the eye that balance the energetic density of the central field. The diagonal weave of the corners, contrasted with the vertical energy of the tree and motifs, frames the field with the measured elegance of traditional mosque courtyard walls, creating a metaphysical space for contemplation and stillness.
Surrounding the vibrant field is a magnificent border of sun-infused saffron, rendered in repeating rows of stylized palmettes, latch-hooks, and deeply esoteric protective symbols. Elongated dragons face one another in mirrored form, guardians of sacred knowledge and cosmic treasure—protecting the Tree of Life and the mysteries it encodes. Boxed rosettes alternate with powerful geometric medallions, including stepped diamonds and angular blossoms, signifying completeness and continuity. Stylized wolf’s mouth motifs line the inner edges—symbols of protection, defiance, and the strength to confront misfortune.
This antique Turkish Oushak rug is not merely a decorative textile—it is a woven manuscript of spiritual resilience and ancestral memory. Every motif was placed with intention, every thread echoing an oral tradition spoken in wool and dye. With its harmonious symmetry and esoteric detail, this Turkish masterpiece whispers the eternal truths of Anatolian life: protection, fertility, unity, and the dance between the earthly and divine. It invites the beholder to walk not just across its surface, but through time itself, into the heart of a story both sacred and sublime.
- Abrash. Desirable Age Wear.
- Hand-knotted wool.
- Made in Turkey.
- Measures: 09'03 x 15'04.
- Pile Height: 0.15 of an inch.
- Date: 1880's. Late 19th Century.
