Suzani Rugs
Guide to Suzani Rugs & Carpets
We see a wide range of embriored piecework accross the Moslem world. In Central Asia we use the term Suzani but we see very similar work in Ottoman Textiles, Greek Textiles, Epirus Textiles, Resht Textiles, Moroccan Embroidery, Algerian embroidery, and even Banya Luka Applique. Put simply Suzani is embroidery on cloth in one piece or more often in several then stitched together.
The name Suzani comes from the Persian word for needle. We can translate it as needlework for our usage. Often we think of Suzani as large decorated covers such as the one from Tony Kitz above. this is not absolute since there is splendid examples of small pieces such as the 2 1/2 foot square Wertime Nurata Suzani Bukcha.
The use of negative space in this rare Central Asian embroidered boqcheh is bold and powerful. The visual impact of this work of art far exceeds its modest dimensions. This is a piece for a serious collector or for anyone looking to decorate a home or office with something out of the ordinary.
Chain, satin and buttonhole stitches are the primary stitches used. There is also extensive use of couching. Still I was curious as to how couching differs from stitching. The key is that couching is to stitch around a second thread to attach the secondary thread to the fabric as a raised line. It is often used for outlining.
Examples of Suzani Rugs:
Khodjent Suzani Rug, 19th Century
Country of Origin: Tadjikistan
Date of Origin: 19th century, last quarter (1875 – 1899)
Use: Wall hanging
Region: Central Asia – Khodjent is a majority Uzbek province of Tadjikistan
Size: 292.1cm(H) x 210.8cm(W) / 9’7″(H) x 6’11″(W)
Other Colors: Green olive, dark indigo, crimson, light crimson, and red-brown
Materials: Silk and cotton
Structure / Technique: homespun cotton (karboz), six panels, filling stitches – basma and ilmoq; the foundation fabric is so completely filled with stitches that it cannot be seen at all; attached cotton outer field
Condition: Excellent
Full Description: An exceptionally large Suzani which has a dramatic effect.
Nurata Suzani Rug, c.1800
Nurata is a town in Central Uzbekistan. It is at the point where the Nurata range tapers out and meets the desert. The Nurata range is the southern ridge that makes the Ferghana valley. There is a large spring noted for it’s miraculous powers and its fishes.
Nurata Suzani are sometimes compared to Mughal designs.
Suzani Embroidery, Mid-19th Century
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Mid-19th century
Size: 6ft. 7in. by 5ft. 9in. (2.01m. by 1.75m.)
Description: Has an unusual Mughal-inspired lattice design.
Condition: Minor discoloration, stains, minor losses, minor restitching, later fabric backing
Suzani Embroidery, Third Quarter 19th Century
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Third quarter, 19th century
Size: 7ft. 5 in. by 6ft. (2.26 m. by 1.83 m.)
Condition: Minor discolorations to linen ground
Large Medallion Embroidery Bokhara, c.1800
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Mid-19th century
Use: Cover/wall hanging
Size: 9ft. 3in. by 6ft. 3in. (2.82m. by 1.90m.)
Condition: Minor losses to embroidery, hole to ground, stains.
Other Notes: Large medallion Suzani rugs such as this one have an unusually bold and powerful design among the generally more delicate works of Central Asian embroidery. The prominent medallion is supported by a multitude of decorations executed in a wide variety of colors, creating a brazen needlework tour de force.
Eberhart Herrmann Bokhara Suzani, First Half 19th Century
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Around 1800
Use: cover/wall hanging
Size: 231cm. x 170cm.
Notes and Condition: Backed with linen; in very good condition.
Bukhara Silk Suzani Embroidery, c.1870
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Mid-19th century
Use: cover/wall hanging
Size: 7ft. 9in. by 4ft. 11in. (2.36m. by 1.50m.)
Description: Made circa 1870 on a natural linen ground; some oxidized charcoals; linen backed.
Buxoro Suzani, First Half 19th Century
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Mid-19th century
Use: Cover/wall hanging
Size: 8ft. 8in. by 5ft. 4in. (265cm. by 163cm.)
Description: The hexagonal border which frames the central rosettes in this susani is reminiscent of the composition used in ‘large-medallion’ susani. The organic drawing of the various floral and foliate elements and the incredible array of colors make this particular example a completely individual and outstanding piece. The inclusion of the human figure in susani design is rare, and this example has eight figures decorating one of the border rosettes.
Lakai Silk Suzani Embroidery, Mid-19th Century
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Mid-19th century
Use: Cover/wall hanging
Size: 6 ft. 4 in. by 4 ft. 6 in. (1.93m. by 1.37m.)
Condition: Stains, losses to edges
Description: Embroideries from the Lakai tribe of Shakhrisyabz feature many unusual characteristics including usage of the distinctive ilmok stitch and often employ a silk foundation, as in the current lot. This design is known as “The Vegetable Garden,” displaying a balanced “four and one” field arrangement with a central poppy flanked by boteh-like gourds, within a border of boteh-like maize cobs alternating with maize stems and nodding ears of rice.
Wertime Lakai Uzbek Large Embroidered Square, 19th Century
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Late 19th century (1867 – 1899)
Use: cover
Size: 86.4cm x 86.4cm / 2’10” x 2’10”
Structure / Technique: Silk embroidery on wollen broad cloth, silk ikat back
Condition: Very good
Description: Nine large, very finely embroidered motifs pattern a reddish orange wool broad cloth ground to make a bold work of textile art.
Lakai Silk Suzani Embroidery, Mid-19th Century
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Mid-19th century
Size: 5 ft. 1 in. by 3 ft. 8 in. (1.55 m. by 1.12 m.)
Samarkand Suzani, c.1900
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Late 19th century
Use: cover/wall cover
Size: 2.41m x 1.50m (7ft 11in x 4ft 11in)
Suzani Pskent Silk Embroidery, Third Quarter 19th Century
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: Mid-19th century
Use: cover/wall hanging
Size: 9 ft. 7 in. by 7 ft. 7 in. (2.92 m. by 2.31 m.)
Notes: Some red wool detailing, embroidered mainly in basma stitch on six panels, minor re-embroidery and losses to embroidery, linen backed.
Description: The town of Pskent lies southeast of Tashkent in the Kokand Emirate. Pskent suzanis share many features with those of Tashkent but are characterized by their totally embroidered cotton grounds, heavy dark golden-brown outlining, and the use of a distinctive yellow ochre color.
As with early Tashkent pieces, madder-dyed red wool is used to accentuate certain elements whereas all other reds are woven in cochineal-dyed silk, giving an added visual subtlety and tactile sophistication to a bold and often mesmerizing design.
Rare and Early Ura Tube Suzani
Country of Origin: Uzbekistan
Date of Origin: 1800 – 1850
Use: Cover/wall hanging
Size: 213.4cm(H) x 182.9cm(W) / 7’0(H) x 6’0(W)
Region: Central Asia
Structure / Technique: Embroidered silk on fine beige linen
Condition: Overall the condition is good, with no losses of embroidered design. There are some breaks in the ground and along the edges. The piece has been backed.
Description: This is a very early example dating to the mid-19th century, possibly earlier. The architecture of the square-format piece is governed by an ornamental diagonal lattice that offers a multitude of floral bouquets, blossoms and sprays. The drawing is spirited and each diverse element shows exceptional vitality and animation.
Gandahara Hazara Suzani
Old Silk Embroidered Suzani, Gandahar, Afghanistan. Early to mid 20th Century.
Size: 4 foot 5 inch 6 foot by 6 inch.
Structure: silk, cotton, plain weave, with silk embroidery.
Further Notes: Excellent condition.