Antique Suzani Bukhara hand-embroidered textile panel

This 19th century textile panel, made of cotton, has a light coloured ground with a central star-shaped medallion, surrounded by further medallions and stylised florals, with dominant hues of deep pinks and greens.

This is a typical example of a Suzani textile- needlework panels originating from the nomadic tribes of central Asia in countries such as Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Made from cotton, the pattern has first been drawn onto the cotton before being hand-embroidered on a narrow portable loom. In antique examples, such as this one, natural dyes are used- for example cochineal for the red and saffron for the yellow. The red-hued flowers and vines with serrated leaves allow us to place this panel to Bukhara in Uzbekistan. These prized possessions are often associated with dowries presented to the groom on his wedding day by the bride and her family. They were used in Central Asian nomadic tents as protective wrapping for belongings, prayer mats, bed-sheets and for seating.