Important Notice

TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN, CIRCA 1930
Handspun and handwoven cotton, hand embroidered with cotton thread, natural dyes
57 x 66.75 in (145 x 170 cm)


Tashkent is one of the oldest towns in Central Asia, with a long history of handcrafted textiles. The worship of astrological bodies was an important part of the religious practice of the local agricultural population and was reflected in the art and craft traditions of the region.

Dominating the centre of the present lot is a striking purple circle, circumscribed by two layers of brown flames. The circle is an ancient and recurring sun motif common to many traditions and probably refers to the sun or the moon, whose worship was once so important in agricultural societies. The centre is framed by a narrow border of six-petalled flowers each joined to the other by a leguminous vine.

Such large, colourful, almost square suzanis, might have been used as wall hangings. When a girl marries in Tashkent, four girlfriends will traditionally hold a suzani above her head to protect her from evil spirits when she enters her husband's home. This cloth is then hung on the wall as part of her dowry in addition to being a protective cloth to ward off misfortunes.

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