Oushak (modern Turkish: Uşak) is a city in west-central Anatolia and one of the most important rug-weaving centers in Turkish history. Oushak rugs have been documented in European paintings since the 15th century, demonstrating that they were exported to Europe in large numbers from the early Ottoman period onward.
Classical Oushak rug categories (16th–18th centuries) include:
- Medallion Ushak — a large central medallion with floral pendants in a richly patterned field
- Star Ushak — repeating eight-pointed star medallions on a red ground
- Lotto rugs — named after the painter Lorenzo Lotto, who depicted these designs in his paintings; characterized by a yellow lattice pattern on a red ground
- Holbein rugs — named after Hans Holbein the Younger, featuring small, dense geometric medallions
- Bird Ushak — featuring stylized bird motifs around floral elements
- Prayer Ushak — with the characteristic mihrab niche
Antique Oushak rugs are characterized by softer, more relaxed color palettes than other Anatolian production — a signature look that has driven their popularity in contemporary interior design. Common colors include soft red, terracotta, ivory, soft blues, and saffron yellow.
Modern Oushak production (sometimes spelled Ushak in the trade) is a major category in today's market — typically larger room-sized rugs with adapted classical designs, vegetable-dyed wool, and a deliberately faded, "antique-look" finish. They are especially popular with interior designers working in transitional and traditional aesthetics.