“Bukharian pattern” pure silk ikat fabric by Rasul Mirzaakhmedov

I recently discovered a book “The yarn connecting generations” published in Tashkent in 2017. The book is in Uzbek and Russian. The book is a tribute to works of two ikat artisans from Margilan – Turgunboy and Rasul Mirzaakhmedovs, a famous father and son duet. They revived some Central Asian ikat patterns lost during the Soviet times and created many new ones. Turgunboy Mirzaakhmedov passed away years ago – God bless his soul. Rasul, the 9th generation abrbandi ikat maker is continuing his legacy. It was interesting to read the book since I personally knew late Turgunboy aka and know Rasul.

“Bukharian pattern” ikat fabric featured in a book

What really stopped me and prompted me to write this blog post is an ikat pattern referred to as “Bukharian pattern”. I am familiar with that pattern because I used it for a project in the past. Bukharian pattern is named after a city of Bukhara – a city also known as a holy city, sort of a Central Asian Rome. The city had been a capital of many empires and truly an architectural, cultural and spiritual gem. Bukhara was one of many cities in Central Asia which practiced sericulture. Not only the artisans of the city knew how to make a luxurious silk yarn, they took things further and made exquisite fabrics.

“Bukharian pattern” is a multi-colored pure silk ikat fabric. As any Central Asian pattern, this pattern is large, bold and vibrant. The width of the fabric is 19″ (43 cm).

Where to get the book…

Now going back to the book, some of you might ask where to get it. The publisher of the book is Sa’at magazine and their email is [email protected]. The book contains some amazing ikat fabric patterns hand drawn by Turgunboy Mirzaakhmedov and ikat fabric patterns hand made by both father and son Mirzaakhmedovs.