Description

Situated along the silk road leading from China to Persia and an important stage on the route from Russia to India, Karshi held an important art historical and strategic position during the 19th century. Formerly part of the Emirate of Bokhara, the city is located in southern Uzbekistan, some 160 kilometres south east of Bokhara and 100 kilometres west of Shakhrisyabz. Although the embroideries produced there display influences from both of the above-mentioned embroidery centres, they do have a style of their own. Typical features are the double outlines of two circular vines surrounding the larger blossoms as well as the bright and radiant palette of brilliant reds and fresh greens. – In the field of this magnificent embroidery executed in basma filling stitch, with ilmoq and ladder stitch outlines, slightly curved green twigs combine into a spacious diamond lattice enclosing five large red circular blossoms and three diamonds surrounded by smaller red blossoms. The design principle of the double surrounds can be clearly discerned in the fourteen large circular blossoms adorning the wide main border. They imbue this suzani with a narrative character. An elephant and a tiger are placed at opposite ends of the field, and two large, realistically portrayed humans in oriental dress are seen at the right and left sides of the field in a diagonal relationship; depicted as a man and woman, they obviously represent the bridal couple. The wide variety of small additional motifs, such as birds and three goats, water jugs and graceful botehs is only perceived upon closer inspection. There is historic evidence to prove that Indian merchants and bankers ran their businesses in the oasis towns of the old Emirate of Bokhara. The elephant and tiger – animals that never occur in suzanis otherwise – may indicate that this item was commissioned by an Indian client. A parallel example (showing two elephants, two tigers and three kneeling humans) is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. – Minimal signs of wear and several holes in the foundation, very good overall condition. Mounted onto canvas.
Literature:
GEWERBEMUSEUM BASEL (publ.), Textilkunst der Steppen- und Bergvölker Zentralasiens. Basel 1974, back cover *** SOTHEBY'S New York, auction of 11th December 1991, # 71 *** HERRMANN, EBERHART, Seltene Orientteppiche IX. Munich 1987, no. 93 *** FLING, RUSSELL S., Khans, Nomads & Needlework. Suzanis and Embroideries of Central Asia. Columbus, Ohio 2012, no. 25

Published:
VOK, IGNAZIO, Vok Collection. Suzani. A Textile Art from Central Asia. (Text by Jakob Taube) Munich 1994, no. 12

Origin:
Central Asia, South West Uzbekistan, Karshi

Dimensions:
228 x 180 cm

Age:
1st half of the19th century

Estimated Price:
30,000.00 - 35,000.00 €