Embroidered tribal textile made in Central Asia and Iran
Kermina Suzani, first half 19th century, Uzbekistan. The large blossoms in red, orange, salmon, a pale aubergine and light blue show the characteristic metallic sheen of Kermina embroideries.Uzbek Suzani wedding cloth
Suzani is a type of embroidered and decorativetribaltextile made in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries. Suzani is from the Persian سوزن Suzan which means needle. The art of making such textiles in Iran is called سوزندوزیSuzandozi (needlework).
Suzanis are rather delicate and extremely few examples survive from before the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They belong, however, to a very ancient tradition. In the early 15th century, Ruy Gonzáles de Clavijo, the Castilian ambassador to the court of Timur (Tamerlane), left detailed descriptions of embroideries that were probably forerunners of the suzani.[1]
Suzanis were traditionally made by Central Asian brides as part of their dowry, and were presented to the groom on the wedding day.[2]
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