Terms and conditions of use
Wall hanging
(Suzani)
(19th century-20th century)
Medium
wool, cotton, cotton (thread), printed cotton
Measurements
216.0 × 260.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Vivien Knowles, 2012
Gallery location
Not on display
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Afghanistan / Uzbekistan
Accession Number
2012.377
Department
Asian Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation
Physical description
This suzani is embroidered with an overall design of pomegranates. The entire surface of the hand woven cotton backing fabric, karbos, is covered in wool embroidery in basma (couching) and ilmok (chain stitch variant). The backing fabric comprises several narrow strips sewn together after they have been embroidered. It is usual for embroidery to be a communal activity and several women work on one suzani. The result is a slightly mismatched pattern and colour variation across the finished textile, as seen in this example.