Suzani

This bed covering/wall hanging consists of five panels sewn together. It was sometimes used to decorate a sukkah, a temporary booth erected during the holiday of Sukkot. As was true of similar items made in the Ottoman Empire, suzani were also donated to synagogues where they were used as wall hangings or Torah curtains.

The composition of this suzani resembles those of Islamic embroideries, rather than rugs. A broad border surrounds a center field. Diagonal floral motifs fill the corners and point toward the center of the cloth occupied by an eight-pointed star. Other sprays of flowers are scattered around the central field. The style of the flowers in the border resembles those on an ikat in the Israel Museum that is dated late 19th-early 20th century.