Great Architecture At The Applied Arts Museum

Why stop at the artwork collection? The Applied Arts Museum in Tashkent is partly housed in an old, rich merchant house, which has been wonderfully preserved. The house looks like suzani embroidery come to life.

Outside facade. A broad hint of more embellishment to come.

Wow. Seriously? The hardwood floor is the only surface not heavily touched by craftsmen. One of the wall details, looking a bit like that annoying game, Operation.

Another room, super trippy.

Details. All the raised decorative work is hand painted.

The intricate painting of gold trim on a wood column on the front porch.

Terrific Textiles At The Applied Arts Museum In Tashkent

Great weaving. The Applied Arts Museum has all sorts of stuff: rugs, clothing, woodwork, metalwork, anything to which one can, well, apply some artistry. The textile work is the highlight of the place.

Too lovely to throw on a bed or table, the impressive embroidered design work known as suzani.

From nothing to special something, a rug being weaved. Decked out in iconic ikat. Why stop at one layer?

A room full of ikat strips and an example of the loom used for ikat weaving.

Psychedelica, put together. A nice variety of the traditional Uzbek cap, the topi or doppi.

Taking a closer look at the dizzying detail of the suzani handiwork.