Suzani

Suzani is a traditional embroidery from Central Asia, especially Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Its name comes from the Persian word suzan, meaning “needle”.

For centuries, women embroidered large suzani textiles for a bride’s dowry: they were used as bedspreads, wall hangings and covers to celebrate the important moments of family life. Their motifs are flowers, leaves, branches, pomegranates and large round medallions recalling the sun and the moon, symbols of fertility, protection and good fortune.

The embroidery is worked with thick threads in chain or filling stitches that cover large areas, so the designs stand out in relief, rich in texture.

In our pieces, suzani embroidery is applied to printed vintage fabrics. Every fabric is different, so no two pieces are alike: the prints, the colours and the composition of the embroidery change. As they are old fabrics, they may show small imperfections, which are not defects but part of their character.