Collection Online
Wall hanging

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

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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.