Vintage Qazaq wall hanging Tus kiiz #10

Vintage Qazaq wall hanging Tus kiiz

Tüs kiiz is a traditional embroidered wall hanging displayed in summer yurts (kiiz ui) and sometimes winter homes. Handmade by women, these textiles serve as family heirlooms or wedding gifts, often featuring dedications to spouses, the year made, and the craftswoman’s signature. Each family member may have a favorite tus kiiz displayed near their sleeping area. 

Tus kiiz display stylized patterns inspired by plants and animals, including flowers and ram’s horns (qoshqarmüiiz), as well as designs named after animal organs like liver, kidney, and heart. These patterns are often symmetrical and cover the entire surface. The main embroidered area is bordered by red velvet on three sides. Some believe the fourth side is left unfinished because it hangs behind the bed, while others say a finished fourth side signifies the craftswoman has completed her life’s work.

Creating a tus kiiz can take up to a year working a few hours daily, though some finish in a month with more intensive effort. Skilled craftswomen may involve their daughters or daughters-in-law to help and pass on the tradition. Multiple women sometimes work on one piece, with their unique embroidery styles visible in the details.

Tus kiiz are made at home as part of daily life. Cotton fabric is divided into sections, each filled with a pattern drawn freehand or with a flour stencil. The design is outlined using milk and a matchstick, crayon, or soap. A fabric section is stretched over a metal or wooden frame and embroidered with a hooked needle, creating a chain stitch along the pattern. Once finished, the fabric is removed, realigned, and the next section is embroidered.

Between the 1860s and 1940s, many Qazaqs fled Russian and Soviet control, with thousands settling in western Mongolia. Today, about 120,000 Qazaqs live there, forming the largest minority in Mongolia at around four percent of the population. They continue to speak Qazaq as their first language and preserve many unique cultural traditions, including these wall hangings and the art of making them.

Price in tenge

150 000 KZT

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