Description

Lakai Suzani

This gorgeous suzani embroidered on a deep blue silk ground may have been made in a Shakhrisyabz workshop that produced commissions for the Emir of Bokhara’s court. The finely embroidered seams outlining many of the designs, the specific colour combinations seen in the flowers, the presence of small botehs divided in two by colour change and the use of wool yarn for the red sections prove that it is a Lakai piece. The highly elegant drawing of the design is striking; it was conceived by a professional designer. Taube aptly describes it as follows: "The broad border has the effect of an oversized frame for a small picture". This impression is partly due to the difference in size of the small flowering plants arranged into offset rows in the field and the eight large star-shaped blossoms seen in the main border. The petrol twigs and blue vines are barely distinguishable from the dark ground of the border. In consequence, the brilliant circular and fan-shaped blossoms and the densely filled, colourful peonies attached to the diagonal twigs stand out all the more. – The fine silk ground has worn away in many places. However, this is barely noticeable due to the fact that the cotton foundation beneath it is dyed blue as well. Otherwise well preserved. Backed with canvas.

Origin:
Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Shakhrisyabz

Dimensions:
195 x 160 cm

Age:
Mid 19th century

Estimate:
40,000.00 - 50,000.00 €

Published:
VOK, IGNAZIO, Suzani 2. A Textile Art from Central Asia. Second part of the collection, catalogue nos. 49 – 79. (Text by Jakob Taube) Munich 2006, no. 72