Niche Wall Hanging
18th century
Medium
Linen; silk embroidery
Dimensions
138.8 × 87.8 cm (54 5/8 × 34 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
15768
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Suzanis, from the Persian (Farsi) term suzan, meaning needle, are large, hand-embroidered textiles traditionally made by women in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan as part of a bride’s dowry. Larger examples [see 2019.794] would have been used as a wall hanging or bed cover. Bukhāra, Uzbekistan, is well-known for the suzani style with its embroidered frame, as displayed on this example. This arch-like design represents a mihrab, the niche in a mosque that indicates the direction of Makkah (Mecca) for Mu...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...