Suzani with Prayer Niche (Mihrab) or Djoinamaz
1867-1899
Physical Qualities
Cotton ground, silk embroidery threads, cotton backing, 56-1/2 x 45-1/2 in. (143.6 x 115.6 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Jerry Maizlish, Sparks, Maryland
Object Number
1991.449
A small rectangular hanging (suzani or djoinamaz) of red plain-weave cotton with multicolored silk embroidered designs including a central architectural motif in the form of a pointed archway or prayer niche or 'mihrab.' The 43'H x 22'W mihrab is situated within a field 49'H x 37'W and is framed by borders of varying widths, each featuring repeating floral and stem motifs. Lozenge- shaped floral sprays or medallions 16' x 10' are found in the upper corners. Motifs are worked in green, blue, yellow, purple, black, and white silk threads using chain, laid and couched (Bokhara, Roumanian, basma, kanda-- khayol?) and buttonhole stitches. The edges of the panel are finished with a 3/8' trim composed of heavy chain stitches. The reverse is lined with a plain-woven printed cotton with aqua hearts and buta shapes on a red ground. The sides of the reverse are finished with a 2' wide plain-woven printed cotton featuring small stylized flowers on an olive ground. The lining is stitched to the foundation with running stitches along fourteen vertical rows. The band with chain stitching which finishes the edges on the front is attached to the reverse with dense 3/8' long stitches. Twisted tan threads intended as hanging loops are found at the top corners of the hanging.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1991, ex. coll. Gerald Maizlish via purchase from a dealer in Afghanistan.
Gamynne Guillotte and Oliver Shell, Joseph Education Center, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Imagining Home," April 26, 2016-November 11, 2016 (2nd Rotation); December 22, 2017-April 23, 2018 (5th rotation).
Inscribed: Written by hand in ink on a piece of masking tape approx. 3/4' wide x 3' attached to object:'#028' (Tape was removed to prevent staining of object); Written in ink on the lining fabric on upper right corner of reverse: 'XXV' with crooked line above it.