Description

Shakhrisyabz Suzani

Origin:
Central Asia, Uzbekistan

Dimensions:
255 x 216 cm

Age:
Ca. 1800

Estimate:
29,000.00 €

This large silk embroidery is one of the most beautiful surviving pieces by the Lakai tribe. Made in the surroundings of the oasis town Shakrisyabz (which translates as the “green city”) in the Emirate of Bokhara, it probably dates from ca. 1800, but it may be even older. The composition centres on a disk medallion composed of colour segments and outlined in poppy red; decorated with leaf-shaped botehs divided into two colour sections as well as bottle-shaped botehs, it appears to gyrate like a large wheel. The blue contour line of a vine bearing grapes creates a star shape around the central design. Further botehs and circular flowers executed to a substantially larger scale have been radially arranged around it. Branches laden with grapes twine around the large designs, filling the outer sections of the field. Diagonal sickle leaves decorated with botehs have been placed in the corners. Large semi-circular fan-shaped blossoms and diagonal bi-coloured lancet leaves outlined in a deep green, as well as smaller flowers and botehs adorn the wide main border. – The excellent quality of the embroidery, its elaborate, highly complex and dynamic design expressing ancient cosmological ideas and the richness of the palette are certain indications that the piece was produced on commission for a rich, high-ranking family. – The embroidery was originally backed with a yellow silk fabric that has now largely vanished, exposing the white cotton foundation. – The ornamentation and especially the large number of botehs, appearing either as simple or as composite forms, are indications of the influence of North Indian models, possibly from Kashmir. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the route to India offered the otherwise isolated region of Uzbekistan its only connection with the Islamic culture. – This spectacular Suzani has been consigned from an old Munich private collection; according to the owner, it was purchased in the London art trade in the late 1960s. Directly comparable pieces have not appeared in the market since then. A Suzani from the same group embroidered in a different design has been published by Yigal. – Slight signs of age, very good overall condition. The sides are still backed with the original ikat fabric.

Literature:
YIGAL, YANAI, Suzani. Central Asian Embroideries. Tel Aviv 1986, fig. 15, p. 25