The story of suzanis
Just-landed: a limited collection of richly-decorated suzanis. Hand-embroidered by craftswomen from Uzbekistan on 100% cotton fabric with fine silk thread, these textiles offer a versatile solution for adding a splash of colour to your home.
They come with a rich history, too. Keep reading to find out more.
What is a suzani?
A suzani is a silk-embroidered cloth textile, found all along the ancient Silk Road. Originating from nomadic tribes in countries like Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, suzanis have been a part of Central Asian craft heritage for hundreds of years.
While the oldest surviving suzanis date back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it is thought that suzanis were in use long before that. Cherished for their intricate craftsmanship suzanis have become highly collectable, versatile fabrics for interior decoration.
What does the word suzani mean?
The name has its origins in the Persian word for needle, suzan. In Iran, the art of making these pieces is called Suzandozi, or needlework.
How are suzanis made?
Made from cotton, and sometimes silk, authentic suzanis are entirely hand-embroidered with fine threads. They can take months to finish, depending on the size and quality of the piece.
The pattern is first sketched onto the fabric before being carefully embroidered on the loom. Typically, the suzani is made in separate pieces, so that it can be worked on by small teams.
Suzanis were traditionally crafted together by the women of the family - mother, sisters, aunts, and cousins - for a girl's dowry. Each woman would be given a strip of fabric to embroider, and then the panels would be stitched together to form the suzani. The result is a stunning masterwork of embroidered patterns and colourful motifs, rich in symbolism.
What do suzani motifs symbolise?
Suzanis depict centuries-old motifs, passed down through generations. These include swirling vines, open pomegranates, and locally-found flowers like the carnation and tulip. Celestial imagery is also commonly found - suns, moons, and star-like medallions, drawing on ancient iconography from the region’s pre-Islamic past.
As suzanis formed a bride’s dowry, presented to the groom on their wedding day, motifs were chosen to reflect the bride’s personality, her family history and cultural heritage. The design would typically contain motifs symbolising fertility, luck, protection and blessings for the newly wedded couple. After the wedding, the suzani would remain the central decoration of the newlyweds’ room - a cherished symbol of the young woman’s family in her new home.
Across Central Asia, individual regions became known for their own distinctive motifs. However, no two suzanis are the same. Each piece is entirely unique - a one-of-a-kind design reflecting the rich history and personal touch of its creators.
What are suzanis used for?
Traditionally, suzanis were used as decoration all over the home. As these textiles have reached Western markets, this versatility has been perfectly translated.
Suzanis can be used for just about anything - as wall hangings, bedspreads, tablecloths, cushion-covers, upholstered headboards and more. If you’ve stopped by our Columbia Road store recently, you’ll have spotted our golden Suzani curtains hanging in our shop windows.
Where can I buy suzanis?
Suzanis can still be found across Central Asia. We regularly stock an array of suzanis from Uzbekistan in our London store, and also have a selection available online.
We can also source suzanis upon request - please get in touch with our team to find out more.
How do I take care of my suzani?
Because the embroidery is so finely woven, we wouldn’t recommend washing a suzani yourself. If a stain occurs, we would advise getting in touch with a professional cleaner who can carefully restore your suzani.