Collections: Islamic Arts

Ushak Medallion Carpet. Turkey, Ushak region, Ottoman dynasty, first half of the 16th century. Wool pile on wool foundation, symmetrical knot, 160 x 73 in. (406.4 x 185.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frederic B. Pratt, 43.24.2

This beautiful large-scale Ottoman medallion carpet was woven in the Ushak region of Western Anatolia, home to one of the longest commercial weaving traditions. The focal point of this carpet is the burgundy-red central medallion surrounded by a dark indigo ground and enlivened with a cream-colored peony blossom scroll. Intricately designed corner medallions also frame the central medallion, which is often repeated in this type of carpet. The curvilinear designs of the medallions and floral vine-scrolls in the carpet mark a departure from earlier Turkish carpets with geometric designs, such as the so-called "Lotto" or "Holbein" types (named for the frequent appearance of such carpets in European still lifes and portraits by these artists). Ushak medallion carpets reflect the use of a paper cartoon that would have been provided by the Ottoman court design studio or workshop, the nakkaşhane. The close parallels between the motifs and design presentation of Ushak medallion carpets and the arts of the book produced during the third quarter of the fifteenth century suggest an earlier dating for this class of carpets.

The Brooklyn Museum's Ushak medallion carpet is remarkable for the brilliance of its colors, including the deep blue ground and red central medallion. It is also in excellent condition, although this carpet, which is over thirteen feet long, has been cut down.

Ushak medallion carpets were used in an Ottoman court setting and were also highly prized in European collections. The design of this carpet is quite similar to another example in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, Lugano.