Recognition of Ottoman Carpets with Emphasis on the Influential Factors of Iranian Art on its Formation and Expansion

Ottoman carpet weaving has a wide range of designs and patterns, colors and weavings that are of special importance in the history of world carpet weaving. During the Ottoman rule (1299-1922 AD) carpet production developed more than the previous period, so that the sixteenth century and the first half of the seventeenth century is considered the most glorious period. By examining the carpets of this period, one can see the traces of Iranian art. The influence of Iranian art on Ottoman carpets intensified after the conquest of Istanbul (1453 AD) and its effects can be seen in changing the design, pattern and weaving technique of carpets. For this purpose, Ottoman carpets can be historically divided into two groups. The first group includes carpets that are often woven before the 16th century and the influence of Iranian art and carpet weaving is not directly visible. This group of carpets continues the Seljuk style and their designs are geometric. The second group is carpets that are woven and presented under the influence of Iranian art and artists. The main purpose of this paper is identifying the Ottoman carpet and identifying the influential factors of Iranian art in the formation of the second group of Ottoman carpets. Accordingly, the main questions of the present article are; Which group of carpets of the Ottoman period was woven and presented under the influence of Iranian art? What are the influential factors of Iranian art in forming Ottoman carpets? The research method is descriptive-analytical. Research findings show that some factors such as the influence of Iranian art, gifts of kings, forced and voluntary migration of artists to the Ottoman court, looting of Iranian works of art by the Ottomans during the occupation, the export of Iranian carpets to the Ottomans are the main reasons for the expansion Ottoman carpet. The most influential factors can be seen in the identification of three groups of Ottoman carpets: 1) Ottoman palace carpets, 2) Ushak Carpets, especially carpets with medallion layouts, and 3) Herke carpets. The method of collecting information is library studies and some images have been obtained by searching in museums.