Hand embroidered. We only stock handmade suzanis from workshops in Bukhara, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz. Machine-made imitations cost much less, but their patterns repeat exactly and the texture is flat, which you can see up close.
Crafts
Suzani: square wall panel
Suzani is Uzbek hand embroidery on a cotton ground, traditionally from Bukhara, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz. This square panel can hang on a wall or cover a table.
Suzani (from suzan, "needle") is Uzbek hand embroidery on a cotton ground, traditionally from Bukhara, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz. Each panel takes months of handwork: natural cotton cloth, coloured silk or cotton threads and dense embroidery in large floral rosettes.
- Origin
- Uzbekistan (Bukhara, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz)
- Category
- Uzbek ceramics and textiles
- Packaging
- Square, 80×80 cm or 120×120 cm
- Shelf life
- Lasts indefinitely with proper care
- Certification
- Not applicable (not a food product)
In Bukhara and Samarkand, suzanis were traditionally embroidered for weddings: the girls and women of a family made several panels, which became part of the dowry. The patterns, both floral (pomegranate rosettes, tulips, almond) and geometric, stand for well-being and fertility. Each school has its own character: Bukhara suzanis are more densely embroidered, while Samarkand ones have larger rosettes.
At the counter we have suzanis in two sizes: 80×80 cm (for a wall or a small tablecloth) and 120×120 cm (a square tablecloth or a large wall panel). Colours range from pale creams to deep reds and cobalt blues, depending on the workshop and the batch.
Suzanis need gentle care: wash by hand in cool water with a mild detergent, do not wring, and dry flat on a towel. Iron on the reverse at the lowest setting. Looked after properly, a suzani lasts for decades and is often handed down in the family.
FAQ
Suzani square wall panel: common questions
Yes, gently: by hand in cool water with a mild detergent, without wringing, then dried flat on a towel. Machine washing is not recommended, as natural threads can run and lose their shape.
Bukhara work has dense embroidery with small rosettes, Samarkand has large floral motifs, and Shakhrisabz uses brighter, more festive reds. At the counter we can tell you which workshop each panel comes from.
Yes, it is a classic Uzbek gift, especially for a wedding or a housewarming. Suzanis traditionally mark important family occasions and are often passed down through the generations.
For plov or tea
Everything for dinner at one counter
At Arkan Bazar in Riga you can get everything for a meal in one go: rice, spices, dried fruit, flatbread and tea. Planning a family celebration or cooking for a large group? Write to us through the form in advance, and we will have your order ready on time.