Pearls of Wisdom: The Arts of Islam at the University of Michigan

This modern embroidered textile, or suzani, is in immaculate condition. Its every inch is covered in expertly stitched embroidery. The dark indigo-black of the base cloth can hardly be seen beneath the dense embroidered patterns executed in a warm color palette of reds, oranges, and yellows, with occasional touches of pale green. The design is almost symmetrical across the width, and rows of arch-like motifs demarcate the textile's central point. The patterns of geometric motifs are worked largely on the diagonal. Such a large textile could have fulfilled a variety of functions as a wrapped garment or wall furnishing.

Bibliography: Gillow 2013, 231; Baker 1995; and Meller 2013.