Suzani (textile)

{{Short description|Embroidered tribal textile made in Central Asia and Iran}}

File:Kermina Suzani.jpg

File:Suzani (3951391778).jpg Suzani wedding cloth]]

{{Islamic culture}}

Suzani is a type of embroidered and decorative tribal textile made in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries. Suzani is from the Persian سوزن Suzan which means needle. The art of making such textiles in Iran is called سوزن‌دوزی Suzandozi (needlework).

Suzanis are rather delicate and extremely few examples survive from before the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They belong, however, to a very ancient tradition. In the early 15th century, Ruy Gonzáles de Clavijo, the Castilian ambassador to the court of Timur (Tamerlane), left detailed descriptions of embroideries that were probably forerunners of the suzani.[http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200304/splendid.suzanis.htm "Splendid Suzanis], 2003, Saudi Aramco World

Suzanis were traditionally made by Central Asian brides as part of their dowry, and were presented to the groom on the wedding day.[http://unionpurl.blogspot.com/2009/02/s-is-for-suzani.html Article on suzanis]

Types

File:Stamps of Uzbekistan, 2009-32.jpg|Samarkand Suzani

File:Stamps of Uzbekistan, 2009-33.jpg|Bukhara Suzani

File:Stamps of Uzbekistan, 2009-34.jpg|Piskent Suzani

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See also

References

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