The Embroidered Flowers - Suzani

What is Suzani

Suzani comes from the Persian word for "needle," and the word refers to embroidered hangings or fabric coverings.　 However, for most suzani lovers and collectors, the word has a more specific meaning. Suzani is synonymous with the finest old embroideries of Uzbekistan, in Central Asia. In recent years, we have witnessed a remarkable revival of this old traditional art form.

The birthplace of suzanis is in what is now Uzbekistan, the area along the Silk Roads that interconnected the cultures of Europe, Turkey and China with the Muslim world. With the establishment of the Silk Road, the Suzani art flourished. In the 19th century, Uzbek women produced excellent embroidered hangings,　table covers, bed covers, wrapping cloths, and prayer mats for their households and their daughters' dowries.　

As the Soviet Era ended, Westerners became more familiar with these marvelous, antique Uzbek pieces.

There was a natural revival of these ancient techniques as new markets opened up. Nowadays divine, contemporary, embroideries decorate not only Uzbek homes, but also grace European and American households. The whole of an otherwise impoverished community, including talented and industrious Uzbek women, have welcomed the development of a new source of family income.　

We are delighted now that you our customers have access, at reasonable and competitive prices, to the most beautiful, contemporary textiles that have grown out of our old traditions.