Bridal veils and nuptial bedspreads from the 19th century and the early 20th, decorative embroideries and fold costumes of glowing colors make the gems of the show.
The bedspreads are the largest of all exhibits. Locally known as "syuzani"-the Persian for "needlework", they are textile panels with a patterned centerpiece and an elaborate edging. Also on display are pillow-covers, curtains, bed linen, and small carpets on which to kneel in worship.
Bedspreads were made of old from undyed cotton homespun. Silk thread colored with natural dyes was used to embroider them before the 19th century's latter half. A craftswoman started with tracing the pattern on each narrow textile strip, next to embroider them, after which the strips were stitched together.
Every craftswoman made it a point to use original patterns and stitches all her own in Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, Jizak, and Ura Tyubeh.
Thus, the large bedspreads of Shakhrisyabz are all covered in tiny cross-stitches. Articles that come from agricultural areas bear a floral design. The embroideries used in wedding rites and folk festivals were believed to come as amulets.
It took Tahir F. Tahirov twenty years to gather his impressive collection. Its most precious items belong to the Lokai, a nomadic tribe of Tajikistan and the Uzbek south. Also of tremendous interest are inimitable folk dresses and robes of pure or melange silk. Exquisite embroidery also decorates headgear, scarves, sashes and bags for household utensils.
The exposition will be open into May 10.
