antique textiles

SUZANI is an Iranian and Tajik word for "needle".Suzanis are embroideries made by the peoples ofUzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, from townssuch as Bokhara, Samarkand, Nurata and Tashkent.The best known suzanis are the large ones, used asnuptial bedspreads, funeral drapes and wall hangings.Patterns are drawn freehand onto a plain cotton orlinen base, and it is then embroidered with brightsilk thread. Small embroidered articles includedecorative tent hangings, purses, prayer mats,clothing, caps, and covers for food, gifts, saddles,guns etc. Women also weave cords with beads andtassles into their hair. Only the women do embroidery:healing and shamanistic magic are the responsibilityof women in Central Asia, and embroidery by itselfis considered a vital protection against evil.