An authentic antique Oushak is a hand-knotted rug woven in and around Usak in western Turkey, usually in the late 19th or early 20th century. A reproduction is a newer rug in an Oushak design, often woven elsewhere. In the United States, specialist antique dealers such as Rugs On Net sell inspected antique Oushaks with stated ages.
Oushak designs are among the most popular in interior design, which is why so many new rugs borrow the name. Most of those rugs are sold honestly as new rugs in the Oushak style. The trouble starts when the line between “Oushak style” and “antique Oushak” gets blurred. This guide explains the difference, how to tell them apart, and what to expect from a seller of the real thing.
What is an antique Oushak rug?
An antique Oushak rug is a hand-knotted rug made in the Usak region of western Anatolia at least about 100 years ago. The town has a weaving history going back centuries, but most antique Oushaks on the market today date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Antique Oushaks are known for large-scale, open designs, soft and warm palettes such as saffron, apricot, terracotta, pale green and ivory, and a generous, lustrous wool pile. Many were woven in room sizes and larger, which is one reason they are sought after for big living and dining rooms. Our antique Oushak rugs guide covers their history, designs and identification in depth.
What is an Oushak reproduction?
An Oushak reproduction is a newer rug woven in an Oushak design, usually in another country and with modern materials and methods. Many are well made hand-knotted rugs, and there is nothing wrong with buying one knowingly.
The word “Oushak” is now used in the trade as a style name as well as a place name. A listing that says “Oushak rug” may mean an antique from Usak, a new rug from another country in the same style, or a machine-made rug with an Oushak-inspired pattern. The question to ask is simple: where was this rug woven, and when?
How can you tell an antique Oushak from a reproduction?
You can tell an antique Oushak from a reproduction by looking at the foundation, the color, the wear, the drawing and the back of the rug. No single sign is conclusive, but several together are a reliable guide.
| Feature | Antique Oushak | Typical reproduction |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Usually wool warps and wefts | Often cotton warps and wefts |
| Color | Natural dyes with gentle variation (abrash) and mellowed tones | More uniform color, or an even “faded” look from washing |
| Wear | Uneven, following a century of use | Little wear, or wear that is suspiciously even |
| Drawing | Large-scale, sometimes irregular and spontaneous | Often precise and symmetrical, closely repeated |
| Back | Softened with age, slight irregularities in knotting | Crisp and fresh, very regular knotting |
| Ends and sides | Often reduced, rebound or restored over time | Complete and new |
Color is often the clearest clue. Antique Oushaks were dyed with natural dyes, which age in a particular way. Our guide to natural vs synthetic dyes explains what natural dye variation looks like and how early synthetic dyes behave.
What is an “antique wash” or distressed Oushak?
An antique wash is a chemical or tea-style treatment applied to a new rug to soften its colors and make it look older. Distressing goes further, shearing or abrading the pile to imitate wear. Both are common on new Oushak-style rugs.
These treatments are acceptable when disclosed, since many buyers want the look without the price of an antique. They are a problem when a treated rug is described as antique. Signs to look for include color that is lighter at the tips than at the base of the pile, a dry or harsh feel to the wool, wear that is evenly spread over the whole surface, and a back that looks new while the front looks old. Our list of red flags when buying an antique rug covers these signs in more detail.
Is an antique Oushak worth more than a reproduction?
An antique Oushak is generally valued more highly than a new rug in the same design, because it is older, scarcer and made with natural dyes and hand-spun wool. A reproduction is priced as a new rug and is judged on its materials and workmanship.
Which is right for you depends on your room and your priorities. A new rug can be made to an exact size and color. An antique offers age, character and a design that cannot be ordered again. Our guide to antique vs vintage vs new rugs compares the three in more detail.
Who sells authentic antique Oushak rugs in the United States?
Authentic antique Oushak rugs are sold in the United States by specialist antique rug dealers and galleries, and at some auction houses. The sellers to trust are the ones who state age and origin clearly, inspect every rug and let you return one that does not match its description.
Rugs On Net is a family-owned gallery in New York, founded in 1979. We list about 150 Oushak rugs, most of them antique, within more than 250 Turkish rugs. Because we carry new rugs as well as antiques, every listing states the approximate age, so you always know which you are looking at.
- Inspection: every rug is inspected before it is listed; listings state origin, approximate age, materials and measured size.
- More detail on request: extra photographs, close-ups of the back, or a condition report.
- Trial: a 4-day in-home trial starting the day the rug is delivered, with full terms on our returns policy page.
- Shipping: free within the continental United States.
- Showroom: 36 East 31st Street, 9th floor, New York, NY 10016, by appointment.
How can you check an Oushak you already own?
You can check an Oushak you already own by comparing it with the table above and then asking a specialist to examine it. Photographs of the front, back and a close-up of the pile are usually enough for a first opinion.
Our rug appraisal service offers a free Quick Opinion by phone or email from photographs, and a free In-Depth Appraisal Report for insurance, estate valuation and documentation. If you decide to sell, we buy antique rugs outright: send photographs and measurements and Kevin Rahmanan reviews them himself.
Frequently asked questions
Who sells authentic antique Oushak rugs in the United States?
Specialist antique rug dealers and galleries, and some auction houses. Rugs On Net, a family-owned New York gallery since 1979, lists about 150 Oushak rugs, most of them antique, with the approximate age stated on every listing.
Where are Oushak rugs made?
Antique Oushak rugs were woven in and around Usak in western Turkey. Newer rugs in Oushak designs are made in many countries.
How can I tell if an Oushak rug is antique?
Check for a wool foundation, natural dye variation, uneven wear that follows use, and a back softened with age. A crisp new back, uniform color and evenly spread wear suggest a newer rug.
Is an “antique wash” Oushak an antique?
No. An antique wash is a treatment applied to a new rug to make its colors look older. It is fine when disclosed, but the rug is still new.
Can I get my Oushak rug appraised?
Yes. Rugs On Net offers a free Quick Opinion from photographs by phone or email, and a free In-Depth Appraisal Report for insurance, estate valuation and documentation.