Cautiously catalogued as mid-19th century and suffering some damage, a large suzani attracted international interest at the Andrew Smith & Son (19% buyer’s premium) Winchester sale.
Made in the Kermina region of Uzbekistan, the 8ft 4in x 6ft 4in (2.53 x 1.93m) rug (section shown left) had suffered degradation to the linen backing, tears and holes. Nevertheless, against a £1000-2000 estimate it sold at £19,500 to an agent bidding for an overseas collector.