Notes on Oriental Rugs by Barry O'Connell

Suzani Embroidery the O'Connell Guide

Shakhrisabz Suzani. Harold Keshishian's It is unusual for it's small size.

Harold Keshishian's Shakhrisabz Suzani. It is unusual for it's small size.

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.

Shakrishabz Suzani circa 1850 from Tony Kitz

Shakrishabz Suzani circa 1850 from Tony Kitz

Nurata Suzani first half 19th century from Marvadim

Detail Nurata Suzani first half 19th century from Marvadim

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.

Chain, satin and buttonhole stitches are the primary stitches used. There is also extensive use of couching. I do a fair job of sewing on a button and I once closed a wound by stitching it my self but I am no expert of needlework. 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. I suppose this will generate email explaining that I am missing some crucial aspect of couching.

Uzbek Tashkent Suzani 19th century from TribalSource

Detail Uzbek Tashkent Suzani 19th century from TribalSource

Detail Khodjent Susani 19th century From Urgut Gallery

Detail Khodjent Susani 19th century From Urgut Gallery

Note the gold pattern. The gold thread is done in a satin stitch to outline the pattern.

Major types of Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Bukhara Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Buxoro Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Khodjent Suzani (Khodjent Tajikistan)

Suzani Embroidery: Lakai Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Nurata Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Pskent Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Samarkand Suzani

Shakhrisabz Suzani Embroidery: Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Tashkent Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Ura Tube Suzani (Istaravshan Tajikistan)

Shakhrisyabz Suzani 19th century or earlier The Textile Gallery

Suzani Embroidery: Shakhrisyabz Suzani 19th century or earlier from the Textile Gallery

Uzbek Suzani

Uzbek Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Suzani Embroidery mid-19th century lot 66

Suzani Embroidery: Suzani Embroidery Uzbekistan, third quarter 19th Century

Bukhara Suzani

Buxoro Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Buxoro? Suzani first half 19th century lot 32

Khodjent Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Khodjent Susani 19th century From Urgut Gallery

Lakai Suzani

Samarkand Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Samarkand Suzani Circa 1900 Christie's Lot 16

Tashkent Suzani

Pskent Suzani

Pskent silk Suzani Embroidery third quarter 19th century lot 45

Ura Tube (Istaravshan Tajikistan) Suzani

Rare and Early Ura Tube Suzani from Dennis Dodds

Suzani Embroidery: Buxoro? Suzani first half 19th century lot 32

Suzani Embroidery: Buxoro? Suzani first half 19th century lot 32

Suzani Embroidery: Notes on Shakhrisabz Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Notes on Shakhrisabz Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Notes on Nurata Suzani

Suzani Embroidery: Notes on Nurata Suzani

Notes on Oriental Rugs by Barry O'Connell

Copyright Barry O'Connell 2004 - 2007.
Last revised: November 18, 2009.

When quoting please supply a link back to this site.

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