Description

Lakai Suzani

Origin:
Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Shakhrisyabz

This fabulously beautiful Lakai suzani was probably made in one of the workshops of Shakhrisyabz. Fine blue-black twigs – some of them running straight, some curved – form an irregular diamond lattice in the field. Each diamond compartment contains a large bottle-shaped flower resembling an amphora in shape. Diagonally flanked by two botehs, each of their thin stems holds a calyx of two long scrolled leaves with serrated outlines, each enclosing a further boteh. We do not know of any further examples of exactly the same composition. A Lakai suzani sold by us in 1991 is comparable in style and shows similar amphora motifs in the field. An example published by Yanai in an exhibition catalogue of the Haaretz Museum, Tel Aviv, is even more closely related as both suzanis share the main border design of fan-shaped blossoms and diagonal pairs of leaves. However, in the Vok example the designs are drawn more elaborately and elegantly, and their colours are more richly varied. The Vok suzani 38 and the Tel Aviv example are considered the oldest known items in the group; they definitely date from the first half of the 19th century and may be even earlier. Usually embroidered on a silk ground, this type was made well into the second half of the 19th century (see the orange-ground example in Grube). – The thin cotton ground is damaged or has worn away altogether in many places, where the suzani has been backed with fabric. Otherwise in good condition. Backed with canvas.

Dimensions:
282 x 220 cm

Age:
First half 19th century or earlier

Estimate:
45,000.00 - 55,000.00 €

Literature:
YANAI, YIGAL, Suzani. Central Asian Embroideries (exhibition catalogue Haaretz Museum, Tel Aviv). Tel Aviv 1986, fig. 15 *** RIPPON BOSWELL, auction of 16th November 1991, # 156 *** GRUBE, ERNST J., Keshte. Central Asian Embroideries. New York 2003, no. 35

Published:
VOK, IGNAZIO, Vok Collection. Suzani. A Textile Art from Central Asia. (Text by Jakob Taube) Munich 1994, no. 38