Antique Shahrisyabz Suzani

Period: 18th Century
Origin: Shahrisyabz
Dimensions: 185 x 225 cm

This rare 18th century Shahrisyabz Suzani highlights a powerful and rhythmic floral composition featuring a luminous ivory field densely populated with large-scale, vibrant red carnation and lotus blossoms. This structural balance between the fluid, scrolling indigo vines and the monumental floral heads reflects the pinnacle of the Uzbek needlework tradition, specifically from the Shahrisyabz region known for its “Kandahar” style. Suzanis of this antiquity are world-renowned for their graphic energy and the technical sophistication of the “basma” (couching) and “tambur” (chain stitch) techniques used to create a rich, three-dimensional texture.

The color palette is masterfully balanced, featuring a primary ivory silk-on-linen ground that serves as a dramatic canvas for high-contrast shifts of madder red, deep indigo, and golden saffron. These rich and enduring tones, achieved through the expert application of natural dyes over 200 years ago, exhibit a chromatic strength and a saturated depth that are hallmarks of the finest 18th-century Central Asian textile art. The inclusion of a wide, matching floral border system—anchored by rhythmic scrolling vines and large, alternating blossoms—creates a precise visual frame that highlights the superior silk quality and distinctive technical finesse of the needlewomen.

Structural analysis indicates the use of premium hand-spun silk embroidery on a traditional narrow-width foundation, resulting in a characteristically supple and lustrous handle. The exceptional clarity of the botanical outlines—specifically the internal geometric details of the flower hearts and the elegant movement of the “S-scroll” tendrils—and the presence of significant, harmonious shifts in color tone definitively distinguish this antique masterpiece from later commercial examples. Ultimately, this Shahrisyabz Suzani stands as a premier example of Central Asian embroidery, representing a peak in both technical endurance and graphic majesty for global textile collectors.

Stock No : 1831

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