A POLYCHROME EMBROIDERED CEREMONIAL HORSE CHEST COVER WITH GEOMETRIC MOTIFS
Uzbekistan, Central Asia, early 20th century

The characteristic V-shaped red cotton ground sewn with traditional Central Asian cross-stitched geometric motifs, reminiscent in style and palette range of Palestinian tatreez embroideries, with repeating heart or hourglass-shaped patterns set against orange, green and cream grounds, interspersed amidst vertical burgundy-coloured diamond-shaped fretwork bands, the lower section of the equine chest cover embellished with a polychrome crochet grid with tassels, the panel a remarkable witness of Central Asian embroidery techniques as well as equine history.

71cm x 97cm