Description

Composed of seven panels, this nearly square suzani was made in Pskent, a city in north eastern Uzbekistan that once belonged to the Emirate of Kokand. The embroideries produced there are Uzbek pieces. The perfectly drawn, large-scale design and the intensely luminous colours make this one of the most outstanding Pskent examples we know. The only immediately comparable piece is another gold-ground example formerly owned by the Textile Gallery, London. – The ground is completely embroidered in the basma technique. Characteristic of the provenance, the design is known as "oi paliak" (moon sky) and probably carries astrological significance. The moon, sun and stars illuminate an imaginary firmament. In this item, six huge, purple-red circular blossoms are arranged discretely, i.e. without points of contact, on a golden yellow ground embellished with delicately drawn carnations, tulips, anemones and small botehs. Sickle-shaped petrol leaves are interspersed between them. Eight smaller purple-red circular blossoms without any interior drawing and four analogous blossoms shaped to fit their purpose as corner motifs constitute a secondary design. Various details are embroidered in vermilion wool yarn. Thin diagonal twigs are widely spaced in the narrow border which is embroidered in just three dark colours and thus very inconspicuous. – Minimal signs of age, very good overall condition. Backed with a white cotton fabric.
Literature:
THE TEXTILE GALLERY, Suni. Embroidered Flowers of Central Asia – The Textile Art of Uzbekistan. Internet Catalogue of the Textile Gallery. London 1997, no. 50 *** GRUBE, ERNST J., Keshte. Central Asian Embroideries. The Marshall and Marilyn R. Wolf Collection. New York 2003, no. 28

Published:
VOK, IGNAZIO, Vok Collection. Suzani. A Textile Art from Central Asia. (Text by Jakob Taube) Munich 1994, no. 3

Origin:
Central Asia, North East Uzbekistan, Pskent

Dimensions:
270 x 238 cm

Age:
mid 19th century

Estimated Price:
15,000.00 - 18,000.00 €