Uzbekistan to display rare 18th-century suzani at new Islamic Civilization Center

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — A rare 18th-century textile masterpiece will soon be unveiled at Uzbekistan’s new Center of Islamic Civilization, underscoring the country’s effort to highlight Central Asia’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage.

The artifact, a medallion-style suzani estimated to be 250 years old, is considered one of the finest examples of traditional Uzbek embroidery. According to the Fergana news agency, the textile will take a prominent place in the center’s museum collection when the institution officially opens later this month.

The suzani belongs to the “Type A design” classification developed by leading textile scholar Michael Franses. At its center is a hexagonal medallion with projecting triangles, encircled by concentric rings and ornamental spirals shaped like goat’s horns. 

The design blends geometric complexity with symbolic meaning, combining rough embroidery techniques with remarkable compositional elegance.

Historically, suzani textiles served both practical and ceremonial roles. They decorated family homes, were gifted during weddings, and often functioned as tokens of diplomacy across Central Asia and beyond. In 1978, only eight large medallion-style suzani were documented worldwide. 

By 2000, subsequent research raised the number to 54. Today, scholars estimate there are roughly 70 surviving examples, making the Tashkent piece a significant addition to the global record.

The Center of Islamic Civilization is one of Uzbekistan’s flagship cultural projects initiated under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Conceived as a hub for scholarship, exhibitions, and interfaith dialogue, the complex seeks to promote what the government describes as an enlightened vision of Islam as a religion of kindness, peace, and tolerance.

Scheduled to open in late August 2025, the center’s museum will feature artifacts, manuscripts, and works of art tracing centuries of Islamic history in Central Asia. 

Officials say the inclusion of the rare suzani highlights Uzbekistan’s ambition to position itself as a custodian of Islamic civilization while reconnecting with its deep cultural traditions.