Central Asian Purse #10

• A small hanging purse or amulet pouch with a pointed flap.
• Purple and yellow cotton fabric foundation.
• Dense chain-stitch embroidery in orange, green, and white thread.
• Rows of small round mirrors (shisha) sewn into the design.
• Extensive edging with blue seed beads.
• Twisted suspension cords with colourful wool tassels.
• Symmetrical scroll motifs in the central panels.

Several features are characteristic of mountain and oasis cultures of eastern Uzbekistan, southern Kyrgyzstan, and adjacent Tajik areas:

1. • Mirrors are common in Uzbek, Lakai, and Tajik ceremonial textiles.
   • They are much less typical of traditional Turkmen purse ornamentation.
2.  

3. Beaded edging
   • The blue-bead border resembles decorative finishing found on personal accessories and bridal items from the Ferghana Valley region.
4.  

5. Chain-stitch embroidery
   • The flowing orange designs resemble the curvilinear embroidery traditions seen in Lakai and some Kyrgyz village work.
6.  

7. Bright purple ground
   • Purple cotton and vividly contrasting colours became common in late 19th- and early 20th-century Central Asian domestic textiles.