Shakhrisabz Rugs

Examples of Shakhrisabz Rugs, Carpet & Embroidery

Shakhrisabz in an important market center in Kashkadarya Province of Uzbekistan. Timur-i-Barlas the founder of the Timurid dynasty was born in an out-lying village of Shakhrisabz.

The Kashkadarya River on the western slopes of the Pamir Alay Mountains. The total area of the Province is 28 400 square kilometers. The climate is typically continental, arid and partly subtropical. The province has a population 2 029 000 with more than 73 % living in rural areas.  Kashkadarya is divided into 14 administrative districts with Karshi as its administrative Center. The town of Karshi has a population of 177 000. Other important towns are Shakhrisabz, Kitab, Kasan, Mubarekh, Yakkabad, Gusar and Kamashi.

Examples:

Shakhrisyabz Suzani Embroidery, early 19th century

Shakhrisyabz Suzani Embroidery, early 19th century

Size: approximately 8ft. 11in. by 6ft. 9in. (2.72 by 2.06m.)

Condition: oxidized charcoals, stains, holes, patches to ground, losses to edges, fabric backed.


Shakhrisyabz Suzani Embroidery, mid 19th century

Shakhrisyabz Suzani Embroidery, mid 19th century

Size: approximately 7ft. 4in. by 5ft. (2.23 by 1.52m.)

Condition: partially oxidized charcoals, stains, minor restitching, minor losses.


The Alberto Levi Shakhrisyabz Suzani Circa 1880
The Alberto Levi Shakhrisyabz Suzani Circa 1880

Each area of Uzbekistan is characterised by either a specific type of design or color combination and especially of type of stitch employed. This radiant example, with its rich and varied symbolism, is particularly rare by virtue of the green silk background on which the pattern is embroidered. The type of stitch used for certain details, together with the design, composed of a star medallion from which sprout two pairs of large palmettes (called bodom, from the Persian for “almonds”) and an ample border with large polychrome “suns” alternated to leafy plants, are all distinguishing traits of the refined production of the Shakhrisyabz oasis, which are among the rarest and most desirable suzanis.

Size: cm 192 x 235 (6’4″ x 7’9″)

Description: Silk embroidery on a silk plainweave


Shakhrisyabz Suzani Emirate of Bukhara, 19th century or earlier

Shakhrisyabz Suzani Emirate of Bukhara, 19th century or earlier

Suzani with Spiral Arabesque, Carnations and Poppies. Silk embroidery in kanda-khayol, ilmok and chain stitch techniques on a cotton foundation Initially, the composition of this suzani appears to be of repeated rows of diamonds, which are the most prominent feature. An illusion is created whereby an infinite pattern appears to continue beneath and beyond the borders, making the field a mere section of the design. The same basic composition is found on 15th- to 17th-century carpets from Persia and Anatolia. The asymmetry of the field composition is typical. Here ten large top-view flowers dominate the border and demonstrate much of the rich variety of flora found on Shakhrisyabz suzanis. Also typical are the small mushroom-like motifs in black, and a fine outline in white worked in chain stitch that adds to the dramatic effect. Shakhrisyabz suzanis use a variety of leaf surrounds in their compositions and a simple suzani may employ several of the patterns; they are also distinctive for their extensive and spectacular color range. The highly lustrous surface typical of the kanda-khayol technique gives this suzani an additional, luxurious dimension.

Size: 188 x 264 cm (6ft 2in x 8ft 8in)


Lakai Silk Suzani Embroidery, mid-19th century
Lakai Silk Suzani Embroidery, mid-19th century

This Suzani is remarkable for its crisply rendered design and exuberant use of color. Embroideries from the Lakai tribe of Shakhrisyabz feature many unusual characteristics, including usage of the distinctive ilmok stitch and often employing a silk foundation, as in the current lot. The design is known as “The Vegetable Garden”, displaying a balanced “four and one” field arrangement with a central flowerhead flanked by boteh-like gourds, within a border of boteh-like maize cobs alternating with poppies.

Size: approximately 7ft. 8in. by 5ft. 6in. (2.34 by 1.68m.)

Condition: mid-19th century stains, discolorations, minor losses to silk ground


A Lakai silk Suzani embroidery
A Lakai silk Suzani embroidery

Embroideries from the Lakai tribe of Shakhrisyabz feature many unusual characteristics including usage of the distinctive ilmok stitch and often employing a silk foundation, as in the current lot. This design is known as “The Vegetable Garden”, displaying a balanced “four and one” field arrangement with a central poppy flanked by boteh-like gourds, within a border of boteh-like maize cobs alternating with maize stems and nodding ears of rice.

Date of Origin: mid 19th century

Size: approximately 6 ft. 4 in. by 4 ft. 6 in. (1.93 by 1.37m.)

Condition: stains, losses to edges


Shakrishabz Suzani circa 1850

Shakrishabz Suzani circa 1850

Description: Dowery Embroidery

Size: 177.8cm(W) x 236.2cm(L) / 5’10″(W) x 7’9″(L)

Region: Central Asia>Uzbekistan

Item Type: Textiles>Wall hanging

Period/Date: 19th century>mid (1840 – 1860)

Main Color: White

Other Colors: Primary range in jewel tones

Materials: Silk, cotton

Structure/Technique: Silk on a cotton embroidered backing.

Condition: Excellent

Full Description: Large scale floral and vine forms. Produced circa 1850 in Uzbekistan. A very crisp example of this variety.