This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Star Ushak carpet

Location:

Zurich, Switzerland

Holding Museum:

Museum Rietberg

About Museum Rietberg, Zurich

Original Owner:

Friedrich Sarre (1865-1945); Bernheimer gallery, Munich; 1930s: Eduard von der Heydt (1882-1964)

Date of Object:

Hegira late 11th-early 12th century / AD late 17th-early 18th century

Museum Inventory Number:

RVA 802

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Wool (warp, weft and pile)

Dimensions:

Height: 269cm, Width: 151cm

Period / Dynasty:

Ottoman

Provenance:

Turkey, West Anatolia, Ushak

Description:

The star-like motif, which is immediately recognisable, lends this carpet part of its name. The carpet is characterised by a clear arrangement of its motifs and by a distinct palette of the five colours, red, blue, yellow, green and white, as well as a few secondary colours such as purple or pink.

The western Anatolian city of Ushak was a centre of carpet production from the second half of the 15th century. In addition to carpets dominated by the star-like motif, carpets with large medallions were also produced here. Many of these Ushak carpets ended up being exported to Europe where this particular design present here enjoyed particular popularity.

How date and origin were established:

By comparison with stylistically similar and approximately dated objects

How Object was obtained:

Gift from Eduard von der Heydt

How provenance was established:

Old museum inventory.

Selected bibliography:

Hermann, Fritz, Teppiche aus dem Orient in der Sammlung des rietbergmuseums, Zurich: Museum Rietberg, 1986: 30-31.

Citation of this web page:

Axel Langer "Star Ushak carpet" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;sw;Mus21;33;en

Prepared by: Axel Langer
Copyedited by: Jonathan Turnbull

MWNF Working Number: SW1 33