Saturday, January 22, 2011

More on Comforters - Suzani?

An article titled "Down with Comforters" is the article that got my attention a few days ago.  Insinuating that the Comforter, and Down in particular, is no longer suitable for bed covering.

The author suggests replacement with blanket, quilt or Suzani.  Now, blanket or quilt, I'm very familiar with, but Suzani?

Suzani - what is it really?  This website that the author links to is very interesting.  But, it is a seller of antique textiles.  The Suzani is aparently a 19th century Dowry Textile.  Typically embroidered on cotton by Islamic women for their dowry; things of value that a woman brings to her husband in marriage.  And, we're supposed to put this on the bed to sleep under it?  Not Likely.

The concept of Dowry Textiles is explained at this site on a Romanian Peasant museum display.  The concept of having a "good room" where the wife's treasures are kept, displayed, but never used is very familiar.  We have the "good china" that lives out its life in the china hutch and is very seldom used.  The "good towels" that are only hung in the bath when company is expected, and noone ever actually uses.  Some of us even have "good clothes" that are only worn to funerals, if then.

Suzani doesn't show up as listed in Dictionary.com.  But, eventually Reference.com has 2 references that I can finally come to peace with:  Needlework and "Tribal Beautiful".  Why didn't she just say so?
Suzani - 2 reference results


But, just to get to the ultimate contradiction Next Tag lists a Natori Uzbek Duvet Cover inspired from a beautiful suzani motif for $699.99.  Probably still not in my budget this week......

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