Suzanis in the Romain Zaleski collection

August 1, 2013

In HALI 176  we continued our survey of the Romain Zaleski, probably the  world’s largest private collection of oriental rugs and textiles. This took the form of a brief discussion about the suzani that he has collected by way of discussing half a dozen examples. The collection contains over 50 examples, not twenty-five as mentioned in the article, and here we show additional examples for readers’ edification.

The Romain Zaleski suzani collection

17 images

Additional images of suzanis from the Romain Zaleski collection, which featured in article in HALI 176 written by Penny Oakley.

Large medallion suzani, Bukhara, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 273 x 188 cm. Romain Zaleski collection. This type of large medallion suzani is most commonly found among the 60 or so large medallion suzanis, identified as Type A by Michael Franses in his study of the group in The Great Embroideries of Bukhara. The type is characterised by the hexagonal medallion, minimal borders and four whiling rosettes in the corners.

Bukhara suzani, Uzbekistan, 19th century 227 x 170 cm. Romain Zaleski collection

Nurata suzani, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 97 x 93 cm. Romain Zaleski collection

Nurata suzani cover (sandalipush), Uzbekistan, 19th century. 76 x 72 cm. Romain Zaleski collection

Nurata suzani, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 222 x 153 cm. Romain Zaleski collection

Small suzani or sandalipush, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 154 x 108 cm. A number of these smaller suzanis are known with fields filled with small blue irises. See pl.8 in Vok Suzani 1.

Nurata suzani cover (sandalipush), Uzbekistan, 19th century. 88 x 88 cm Romain Zaleski collection

Nurata suzani, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 223 x 156 cm. Romain Zaleski collection

Shahrisyabz suzani, Uzbeksitan, 19th century with Mughal-esque flowering shrubs. 231 x 176 cm. Zaleski collection

Shahrisyabz suzani, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 252 x 202 cm. Romain Zaleski collection

Nurata suzani, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 236 x 162 cm. Romain Zaleski collection

Nurata suzani, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 233 x 170 cm. Romain Zaleski collection

Nurata suzani, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 280 x 166 cm. Romain Zaleski collection

Large medallion suzani, Bukhara, Uzbekistan, 18th/19th century. 290 x 184 cm. Romain Zaleski collection. This type of large medallion suzani is most commonly found among the 60 or so large medallion suzanis, identified as Type A by Michael Franses in his study of the group in The Great Embroideries of Bukhara. The type is characterised by the hexagonal medallion, minimal borders and four whiling rosettes in the corners.

Nurata suzani, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 210 x 177 cm. Romain Zaleski collection

Ferghana valley suzani, Uzbekistan, 19th century. 231 x 172 cm. Romain Zaleski collection.