Wednesday, 20 February 2008

About us

Dominque Mayer and Jano Hansen are two friends from Cape Town. On our travels we simply fell in love with Uzbek art. Now we import it here and give you the chance to brighten up your home with these exquisite pieces.

For more information or to arrange a private showing in your home call:

Cape Town
Dominque Mayer
083 616 0093
Jano Hansen
084 432 1850

Johannesburg
Ingrid Engelbrecht
083 651 9742

CentralAsianTextiles at 11:19

Monday, 11 February 2008

Tassles

Click me for a larger version.

Tassles are used as tent decorations by nomadic Uzbeki tribes. These signify status according to their intricacy, beauty and sheer number. Tassles come in two basic styles, hanging and belt. As always the exquisitely vivid Uzbek colours abound.

CentralAsianTextiles at 18:16

Pillow Cases

Pillowcases come in three styles. Centre portions cut from Uzbek traditional cap material.

Centre pieces cut from Suzanis.

Ikat is vivid, hand woven silk. This material is often used in the Kaftans of Central Asia.

CentralAsianTextiles at 18:16

Ceramics

CentralAsianTextiles at 18:15

Sunday, 10 February 2008

Suzani

Suzani comes from the Persian word for "needle". It refers to exquisitely embroidered silk thread on a cotton and sometimes silk base. Once you have seen the beauty of a Suzani it is indelibly ingrained in your mind. The birthplace of suzanis is in what is now Uzbekistan, the area along the Silk Roads that interconnected the cultures of Europe, Turkey and China with the Muslim world. Over time splendid cities arose there: among them Bukhara, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz and Khiva. They are often dowries, hence the join down the centre. One half from the mother, the other crated by the daugther. The size, skill and materials used reflect personally on the bride and her family.