He described five of them as being Bukhara bedspreads, with one being all red; one having yellow flowers; one in red and blue; one with a fine border; and one with a floral design. The last of the group was described as a "Bukhara Portiere Carnations", i.e., a Bukhara textile of a curtain-like shape that is hung over a door or doorway, embroidered with carnation flowers. This last item refers to the Ruijo cover in the collection.
The second group of Suzanis was purchased on 30 May in London. The suppliers were the antique dealers Roffe & Raphael, of Vigo Art Galleries, who specialised in importing antique carpets and works of art, and had their showrooms on Vigo Street, Mayfair, in central London. Sir William describes these embroideries in his purchase book as being Bukhara bedspreads, including one with yellow embroidery; one large; one green; and one small. On this visit to Roffe & Raphael, Sir William Burrell also purchased two 17th century silk embroidered Ottoman Turkish textiles. These lavishly embroidered Ottoman textiles are most probably quilt facings and hangings.
You can learn more about the topic in the book-album “The Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the Collections of Great Britain” (Volume XLVI) in the series "Сultural legacy of Uzbekistan in the world collections".
The main sponsor of the project is the oilfield services company Eriell-Group.
