Description

Shakhrisyabz Suzani

Origin:
Central Asia, Uzbekistan

Dimensions:
268 x 218 cm

Age:
Mid 19th century

Estimate:
35,000.00 - 40,000.00 €

This large embroidery holds a special position among the suzanis in the Vok Collection. It lacks the characteristic feature of being a folk art product which tangibly links the other suzanis, despite their enormous differences in the details. The design – evidently conceived with precision by a specialised artist – and the overall impression of cool elegance rather associate this suzani with court art. Probably embroidered in a workshop and made to commission, it may have been influenced by Indian models in style. – Fine blue-black diagonals decorated with small flowers of the same colour cover the field in a diamond lattice composition. Each diamond encloses a slender blue-black, exactly symmetrical plant bearing either three green fan-like blossoms or three blue heart-shaped blossoms as well as aubergine and red buds or small blue-black leaves and buds. The plants are arranged into colour diagonals. Conceived in a specific style that dispenses with contrasting outlines in the motifs and additional decorative details, and embroidered in a palette that is highly uncharacteristic of suzanis, the field design resembles a wall of ceramic tiles, an effect that was probably fully intended. A suzani sold by us in November 2000 is vaguely comparable in field design. The border of four-pointed medallions filled with leaves and framed by diamond-shaped twigs bearing flowers adds a further surprise, being embroidered in just two shades of red. The marked contrast between the field and border makes this suzani appear like a carpet. – Very good condition, backed with canvas.

Literature:
RIPPON BOSWELL, auction A 55, 18th November 2000, # 115

Published:
VOK, IGNAZIO, Vok Collection. Suzani. A Textile Art from Central Asia. (Text by Jakob Taube) Munich 1994, no. 23