Collection
Uzbekistan
- Title
- Wall hanging ('suzani')
- Place of origin
-
Uzbekistan
- Media category
- Textile
- Materials used
- silk thread embroidery on cotton with niche and plain white cotton ground
- Dimensions
-
131.0 x 90.0cm irreg.
- Credit
- Gift of John Yu and George Soutter 2008
- Accession number
- 222.2008
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
The general name for embroidered textiles of the Turkestan region is suzanis. Literally translated as ‘needle’ or ‘needlework’, suzanis were an important part of a woman’s dowry. Bukhara suzani designs typically consist of delicate flowers, such as rosettes and streaming stems, along a broad patterned border. These textiles were used as decorative wall hangings, as covering for the bridal bed or as prayer mats. A tambour hook, similar to a crochet needle, was used to sew the chain stitch which was popular for such textiles.
Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 2008.
