antique textiles and
decorative pieces

Contact:  Sandra Lemmer
Tel/Fax:  +27 (0)58 211 0906
Mobile:  +27 (0)82 37 121 37
Email:  Click to send.
Postal address:  PO Box 92
ROSENDAL  9720
Vrystaat, South Africa

SUZANI  is an Iranian and Tajik word for "needle".
Suzanis are embroideries made by the peoples of
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, from towns
such as Bokhara, Samarkand, Nurata and Tashkent.
The best known suzanis are the large ones, used as
nuptial bedspreads, funeral drapes and wall hangings.
Patterns are drawn freehand onto a plain cotton or
linen base, and it is then embroidered with bright
silk thread. Small embroidered articles include
decorative tent hangings, purses, prayer mats,
clothing, caps, and covers for food, gifts, saddles,
guns etc. Women also weave cords with beads and
tassles into their hair. Only the women do embroidery:
healing and shamanistic magic are the responsibility
of women in Central Asia, and embroidery by itself
is considered a vital protection against evil.

Copyright © Suzani South Africa. All rights reserved.