Ancient Ottoman rug, created 5 centuries ago, returns to its original homeland after a 30-year stay abroad.
In a significant cultural milestone, a 500-year-old Usak carpet—a remarkable testament to Ottoman craftsmanship—has been returned to Turkey after a 30-year absence. The carpet, an Anatolian masterpiece renowned for its intricate design and historical significance, hails from Usak, a town that was a hub for carpet weaving during the Ottoman era.
### History and Significance
Created around five centuries ago, the carpet stands as a symbol of the rich tradition and complex patterns that characterise Usak carpets. These carpets are highly prized as cultural artifacts, offering silent yet profound insights into Turkey’s cultural heritage and memory.
### Discovery and Return
The carpet resurfaced in Italy, where it was part of a private collection owned by Adrian Stefan Ionescu. Upon recognising the carpet as a Turkish piece listed in the catalogue *Vakif Halilar (Foundation Carpets)* with the inventory number "06.456," authored by Suzan Bayraktaroğlu, Ionescu voluntarily contacted Turkish authorities and returned the carpet without any demand for compensation.
### Restoration and Conservation
Though specific details about the carpet’s restoration process post-return are not available, such antique textiles typically undergo meticulous conservation to stabilise any damage accumulated over centuries and during overseas storage. Restoration efforts usually involve gentle cleaning, mending fiber damage, and preserving dyes to ensure the carpet remains as close to its original state as possible for future display and study.
The return of this 500-year-old Usak carpet underscores the significance of international cooperation in reclaiming lost artifacts and protecting historical craftsmanship practices. The carpet now resides at the Ankara Foundation Works Museum (Ankara Vakif Eserleri Muzesi) in Turkey, where it serves as a beacon of Ottoman history and artistic prowess.
Stylised naturalistic flowers in soft red, yellow, and off-white tones form large medallion patterns on the carpet, while the dominant background colour is dark blue. The carpet's repatriation marks a triumphant return of a piece of Ottoman history to its roots in Turkey.
In Ankara, the capital city of Turkiye, the Ankara Foundation Works Museum (Ankara Vakif Eserleri Muzesi) showcases a significant addition to its collection – a 500-year-old Usak carpet. The carpet's intricate floral patterns, featuring soft red, yellow, and off-white tones on a dark blue background, have been a striking addition to the museum's fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden exhibits, further highlighting the rich Turkish lifestyle and traditions. This masterpiece, hailing from Usak, a town famed for its Ottoman-era carpet weaving, now stands as a testament to the enduring legacy and artistic virtuosity of Turkiye.
