An Uzbek Namprash Bag Face

This needlepoint Uzbek suzani measures 16 inches by 40 inches. The piece is a Lakai textile, it is called a bag face, as it is the front a sleeve or bag that was faced with  calico or some other lesser textile. Often these bags were used to transport items from homes in nomad tribal families, such as mirrors or religious items needing protection. When the backing of the bag was discarded, the fronts were still used as covering for niches, or cupboards, as they were the prized decorative elements.