Bukhara Khanate (in present day Uzbekistan)
Mihrab or Jai-namaz Suzani
INV-1576
Bukhara Khanate (in present day Uzbekistan)18th century
Mihrab or Jai-namaz Suzani
Bukhara Khanate (in present day Uzbekistan)
bukharacentral asianasiantextileneedlework (visual works)
Date
18th century
Medium
Linen, plain weave; pieced; embroidered with silk
Dimensions
138.8 × 87.8 cm (54 5/8 × 34 1/2 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Robert Allerton
Suzanis, from the Persian (Farsi) term suzan, meaning needle, are large, hand-embroidered textiles traditionally made by women in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan as part of a bride’s dowry. Larger examples [see 2019.794] would have been used as a wall hanging or bed cover. Bukhāra, Uzbekistan, is well-known for the suzani style with its embroidered frame, as displayed on this example. This arch-like design represents a mihrab, the niche in a mosque that indicates the direction of Makkah (Mecca) for Muslim prayers. When hanging near an entryway, a mihrab suzani serves to welcome guests.
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