Uşak. 16th century.
Uşak (110 km west of Afyon) was one of the most important and renowned carpet centers in Ottoman times (late 15th to 18th century). Rug production is still going on today, but on a lesser level and with altered designs.
In the 17th century great quantities of Uşak carpets were made for the royal houses and the Christian churches of Europe, displaying a great number of different types.
However, it is probable that the blanket attribution of so many different types of rugs to this one (relatively small) area is mistaken, and has been made at the expense of other weaving centres such as Akşehir, Akhisar, Demirci and Karapınar, all of which produced rugs - some of which are of considerable age and great quality.
Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: ‘Oriental Rugs, volume 4: Turkish’ (Zipper & Fritzsche) .