Curated by textile specialist Manina Bauman, this is a unique opportunity to view a sumptuous and rare collection of all silk embroidered wedding textiles from Bukhara, the ancient heart of design along the silk route of Central Asia.
The word Suzani means “embroidery” in ancient Persian and has become the name for exquisitely conceived and created dowry pieces hand made by young brides in anticipation of their wedding day. Imbued with magical powers for protection and good fortune, Suzanis ensure a happy life for a newly married couple. Worked on hand woven silk in organically died silken thread, magical symbols from the bride’s village and dreams are woven into works of art with lyrical names, such as the “Garden of Paradise”.
The antiquity of this art form dates back to the origins of the silk route itself,
gathering inspiration from a vast archive of iconic designs and motifs that linked East to West. The present collection is something of a miracle because the art survived devastating destruction during communist rule in Uzbekistan, only to re-emerge recently with the status of a UNESCO Heritage of World Project.
Museums all over the world have been collecting these remarkable chronicles of history for their fashion and art collections. Attracted by the highly decorative and subtly lustrous silken surface, designers compete to use these precious textiles in contemporary interiors, simply because of the sheer luxury of having a fine Suzani at home.
