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The vast dissemination of the Medallion Ushak rugs, from
their courtly origins in Central Asia to the merchant classes in
Europe is evidenced by their appearance in paintings like this
one from 1659 by the great Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. More
than two hundred years after the Ottoman bookbindings many
scholars believe these designs are derived from, these carpets were still being made for the European
market, and this production would continue for at least another
century. If we further trace these interlaced and floral motifs
back to the Timuruds and Seljuks it demonstrates the remarkable
persistence of this design thread for almost five hundred years,
across several distinct cultures. |
