Description

Shakhrisyabz Suzani

Origin:
Central Asia, Uzbekistan

Dimensions:
280 x 228 cm

Age:
First half 19th century

Estimate:
35,000.00 - 40,000.00 €

This magnificent suzani was made in Shakhrisyabz, a city in southern Uzbekistan that is famous for its embroideries. The field displays the classic four-and-one composition of a central poppy blossom, accentuated by its size and surrounded by four diagonal fan-shaped palmettes, and four poppy blossoms in the corners. Six smaller circular blossoms complete the design. Except for the central motif, all the blossoms are linked or surrounded by lively petrol twigs with scrolled or mushroom-shaped leaves. Eight birds (probably peacocks) have been incorporated into the dense field design. The very wide border presents the same motifs as the field design in an even denser arrangement. Two of its circular blossoms contain tiny water jugs. Produced with a great deal of effort and skill, suzanis of this kind were described as “cloths of prestigious character“ by Taube, a fitting characterisation of their representative function and value as status symbols. This item contains a total of twenty-one different colour shades. A masterpiece of Uzbek embroidery. – Good condition. Backed with fabric.

Published:
LINDAHL, DAVID & KNORR, THOMAS, Uzbek. Lörrach - Tüllingen 1975, pl. 20 *** GRUBE, ERNST J., Keshte. Central Asian Embroideries. New York 2003, no. 15 *** KALTER, JOHANNES & PALALOI, MARGARETA, Usbekistan. Stuttgart 1995, ill. 548 *** RIPPON BOSWELL, auction of 12th November 1994, # 112