I'm thrilled, and rather proud, to start the year 2010 by offering for sale a sensational antique suzani from the "green city" of Shakhrisabz, in Uzbekistan. It dates back to 1800, or earlier. The vast majority of Shakhrisabz suzanis have wonderful colours and bold design, and to find a boring piece is uncommon. This particular piece is very rare on account of various factors. First,it boasts a breathtaking field design, with a quiet and uncluttered, aristocratic elegance, unlike the deafening fanfare emanating from some other suzanis one sees every now and then. The "four and one" pattern of the very large border, among the large flower circles, surrounded by the light blue foliage, is equally astounding. Second, the colours of this embroidered masterpiece are truly divine, and this is an understatement. The silk Khanda Khayol stitch is shimmering with such intensity that it is obvious that it has seen very little light during its 200 or so years. Third,it is in a great state of preservation, with no holes or repair of any kind, with everything completely intact. Upon close scrutiny i can only detect a small split in the cotton ground along the border, and some faint spots one usually finds in a textile this old. It measures 284 x 218 cm (112 x 86 inches). For obvious reasons, this suzani is for the connoisseur only, and is considered the piece de resistance of any collection.