In Kyrgyzstan, embroidery was frequently placed directly in the center of the composition, surrounded by bands of kurak (patchwork), as seen in this tushtuk (hanging). If embroidery was not available for the central section, an old tush ki’iz fragment was used with symmetrical patterns arranged around the perimeter.

Patchwork and embroidery hanging (kurak saima tushtuk)
circa
1930
1970
Made in
southern Kyrgyzstan
77
86
IQM, Gift of the Robert and Ardis James Foundation
2011.040.0041