March 1, 2020 Presentation by Richard Isaacson Arab Abstraction: Kilims of the Arabs of Uzbekistan Some pictures click on the thumbnail for the full picture. Richard Isaacson discussed the long overlooked and now largely forgotten large, geometrically patterned, and surprisingly modern-looking kilims made by the Arabs of Uzbekistan. These were tapestry-woven on large horizontal looms, and were a heavy, longwearing, commercial product, made in large numbers for inexpensive sale in the bazaars across Central Asia in the second half of the 19th century. The Arabs originally arrived in Uzbekistan during the conquests of the 7th century, and Arab artisans were again brought by Timur early in the 15th century to build Samarqand. They have been living harmoniously in semi-nomadic obscurity with their neighbors in Uzbekistan for many centuries. Old photographs of these kilims, made during their period of greatest popularity, have been located in antique books, museums, and photographic archives around the world. These will be used to illustrate the popularity of these weavings, their widespread use by all strata of society, and their geographic distribution across all parts of Central Asia. These images will illustrate kilims in use by the Emir of Bukhara, a Russian general’s garden party, Türkmen and Uzbek government officials, musicians and entertainers, tradesmen, a Jewish bride, dancing boys, guild members, Kyrgyz Hajjis, and Kazakh nomads. Arab Uzbek kilims were as popular and widespread in their day as blue jeans are in the modern world. return to home page