AKA41 Lakai Suzani Panel

AKA41 Lakai Suzani Panel
15" X 4 '-4" - Uzbekistan 19th Century - Ethnic Lakai silk tapestry bands frame the large central panels of this primtive-looking suzani piece. The central motif features three Turkoman guls and a unique "curly-Q" design in the wide border panels. The end panels are decorated with a motif that hints of the Uzbek 'solar wheel' design. All of the decorative stitch-work is done with silk threads. The cloth on the back side of the entire piece is a hand-loomed cotton fabric. All in all a very interesting and unusual Lakai embroidery.

CP302 Pashmina Wool 'Shirvan'
(4'-1" X 5'-10") - 216 knots/sq. in. - Central Asia c.1990

These carpets are woven by Turkoman weavers and incorporate Shirvan (Caucasus Region) motifs in the design along with traditional Turkoman symbols. The pile is 100% Pashmina wool which comes from a high altitude goat. The silky fleece is most often used in weaving exquisite shawls and scarves. You will not believe the luxurious feel of the pile and the sheen is like nothing else! These Pashmina carpets are VERY RARE!! The colors are from all natural dyes; the warp and weft are Karaqul wool.

CP365 Turkoman Wool and Silk
(3'-10" x 5'-3") - 300 knots/sq.in. - Afghanistan c.1970

Incredibly fine weaving gives crisp detail to the design of this piece which has its origins in the carpets of the Bukara Khanate of ancient Uzbekistan. The golden ivory sections of the pile are all silk, as well as the warp and weft. The other colors used in the pile are from natural dyes, applied to hand-spun wool. Young women would weave fine pieces such as this to show off their skills to the families of prospective husbands.

CP63 Turkoman Torba
1'-3" X 4'-0" - 140 knots/sq. in. - N.E. Afghanistan Early 20th Century

I wish my camera could catch the incredible richness and depth of the colors in this beautiful old tent bag. All natural dyes on hand-spun wool pile except for the undyed brown goat's hair; braided and used for the tassles seen at either side of the bag. The tassles were used to tie the bag to the tent supports inside and over the doorway for easy access to the contents when entering or leaving. If you look at the detail photo of the bag front, you can see the grey-green cast of the Karaqul wool used to weave the 'Memling' gul design. Unfortunately, pieces like this are destined to become less and less available as these tribal people become more 'modern' in their ways. Note the green fabric re-inforced upper corners. Dimensions do not include long braided fringe but represent size of bag face.

A235 Baluch Tent Bag
2'-2" X 2'-9" - 10 warps&10 wefts/sq. in. - Afghanistan

c. mid-20th Century Fine, old tribal bag woven in weft-float and khelim techniques. Hand-spun, natural ivory and brown/black wools embellished with rich burgundy, madder and orange yarn tassles. Lapis-colored glass beads finish the bag front nicely! Excellent condition throughout!

UZB12 Lakai Sash
(3.75" X 18.5") - 384 stitches/sq. in. - Uzbekistan 19th Century

As best as I can tell, this very finely stitched silk tapestry work was used as a sash around a women's waist. If it were a men's belt, it would be backed with leather and this has a cotton printed fabric. (see detail photos) It also appears too wide to have been a headband. The areas of discoloration suggest that it was put to good use in any case. The rarity of such delicately made utilitarian weavings makes it a great conversation article.