Usak carpet from 15th century exhibited in London

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - A 20-meter long carpet, which was made in 15th century in Turkey's western Usak province, has been exhibited in Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

"I am happy and proud to see the Usak carpet there [in the museum]," said Alim Tunc, the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's lawmaker from Usak province.

Based in London, the Victoria and Albert Museum is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design.

The museum holds over 4.5 million objects in its permanent collection from ancient times to the present day.

Noting that the carpet belongs to 15th century, Tunc stressed Usak was an important place for the best carpets in the world "today and in the history."

"This is a proud fact for both Usak and Turkey," he said.

Tunc added that Usak University has done some works on protecting the carpet as a cultural heritage.

"Usak carpet is full of wool. Its warping and rope are rubia tinctorum. Nearly 100,000 slipknot are weaved in one square meter of the carpet. Its weaving involves hard work, but the carpet that is prestigious and long-lived."

Tunc highlighted that the Usak carpets were used at the palaces in the past.