Description

Lakai Suzani

The fine crochet-like outlines surrounding some of the motifs, the use of light red wool in several flowers and the expressively diverse palette prove that this small-format suzani is a piece by the Lakai tribe, as does, of course, the somewhat wild style of drawing. Two elongated sickle-shaped vines, each with a red bellflower at its tip, form an arch shape at the upper end of the field; at the sides two further analogous vines extend vertically downwards into the field, each enclosing a circular blossom in a sweeping curve. The central axis is accentuated by three blossoms of varying shapes and sizes. The narrow single-stripe border at the lower end of the field tapers inwards to form a triangular gable. Below, the borderless triangular field containing a large central flower is outside the suzani’s border frame, but nevertheless part of the embroidery. Taube surmises that the suzani and the triangle at the lower end were not created at the same time, considering the triangular section to be older. We do not share his opinion. We believe that the item is a prayer rug, which would explain the greater degree of wear in the lower section where the worshipper used to kneel. – Signs of age and wear, several stains.

Origin:
Central Asia, Uzbekistan

Dimensions:
130 x 100 cm

Age:
Second half 19th century

Estimate:
3,500.00 - 4,500.00 €

Published:
VOK, IGNAZIO, A textile Art from Central Asia. Second part of the collection, catalogue nos. 49 – 79. (Text by Jakob Taube) Munich 2006, no. 74