Suzani, Cotton, 1900-1950

Suzanis are remarkably vibrant flower-strewn cloths from Central Asia. Exquisitely embroidered, they served as cradle covers, wrappers for gifts, bed canopies, niche curtains, tent decorations, and wall hangings. They were traditionally made by the women of the family for domestic use, and were an essential part of a bride’s dowry.The word Suzani is derived from the word suzan, Farsi for needle. These embroidered cloths were famous in cities along the Silk Road: Bokhara, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Tashkent and Ferghana. Suzanis were required decorations in the homes of settled populations or the tents of nomadic tribes. They were said to contain magical properties related to protection, fertility and the birth of sons. The large red roundels in this Suzani are characteristic of the sun-disc motif, a central feature in Suzanis created in parts of Uzbekistan. The Suzani has four rows of seven roundels, each circumscribed by green interlocking leaves. Meandering around the circles is a scrolling vine bearing small red flowers. It is enclosed by a narrow border with flowers and leaves.This Suzani was presented by C.L. Burns (curator between 1903-1918)