Antique Oushak, Western Turkey, late nineteenth century A striking design of strapwork arabesques and palmettes in shades of sand, apricot, and mauve radiates across the soft blue field of this effervescent antique Oushak. Little rosettes and flowers fill in the remaining spaces. Fine vinescroll patterns make up the borders, a larger one on an apricot ground and two minor ones on ivory, beautifully framing the bolder elements of the field. Apart from the marvelous color, what really makes this piece is the dynamic, tribal drawing, comparable to the best Bakshaish carpets and like them, so full of primitive charm and life.