First half 19th century, 272 x 202 cm, Central Asia, Uzbekistan

Collection VOK: Susani 2, 59

A very large Karshi suzani of the ruijo type displaying a wide border. The lateral bands each contain four cruciform designs composed of five red flowers and surrounded by green diagonal and semi-circular vines. Many attractive secondary motifs including water jugs have been incorporated into the border design. Two circular flowers accentuate the corners of the upper horizontal panel in which leaf vines form a central arch extending like a bridge across a further cruciform floral design. As is always the case in bridal bedsheets, the field is an empty space terminating in an arch at the upper end. Finely and elegantly drawn, the arch includes seven horseshoe-shaped niches. The central niche is actually cusp enclosing a flowering twig. The section above it shows a dense design in the same style as the border; it includes two cruciform floral clusters, the right-hand one of which is framed by a narrow diamond-shaped border. A narrow secondary border constitutes the lower finish of the suzani. – Well preserved, minor stains. Backed with canvas.

GRUBE, ERNST J., Keshte. The Marshall and Marylyn R. Wolf Collection. New York 2003, no. 21

VOK, IGNAZIO, Suzani 2. A Textile Art from Central Asia. Second part of the collection, catalogue nos. 49 – 79. (Text by Jakob Taube) Munich 2006, no. 59