ABOUT TUSKIIZ

Kazakh tuskiiz, or embroidered wall hanging, comes from one of the wildest and most remote places on earth: the high Altai Mountains of westernmost Mongolia, near the borders of China, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

Older hand-stitched tuskiiz are quite rare now, and almost never show up on the outside market. Unlike the rest of the country, which is predominantly Mongol and Buddhist, the population of Mongolia's westernmost aimags, or provinces, is 90 percent ethnic Kazakh, most of whom are Sunni Muslims. During the long harsh winters, which last 7-8 months at temperatures ranging from 30-60 below, the women painstakingly hand-stitch these fantastic hangings. They are usually made to give as gifts on the occasions of weddings and births.

Not only of decorative value, they are highly functional. They are tied to the lattice walls inside the yurts to help keep out the dust blown from fierce winds. These colorful, intricate designs are based on ancient motifs, including especially Islamic arabesques. On average, it takes a woman FIVE MONTHS to create one of these works of art. Sometimes the names of those who worked on the tuskiiz are embroidered on it somewhere, though they are often difficult to find, hidden or incorporated as they are into the complex forms and vibrant hues. A tuskiiz may also bear the year of completion, and sometimes even the month and day as well. Typically, they are left unfinished at the bottom, because this part hangs down below the sleeping cots or other spare yurt furniture, out of sight and draped onto the bare ground.

This traditional tuskiiz is hand-embroidered with cotton threads on a moderately heavy cotton backing. The borders, which are stitched on last, are made of a heavy, soft and shiny cotton velour.