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Qalamkar block printing vs Needlework embroidery (Suzan-duzi)

قلمکار · سوزن‌دوزی

Qalamkar block printing: A resist-dyed and block-printed cotton textile, historically associated with Isfahan, in which carved wooden blocks stamp repeating floral and figural patterns onto cloth in successive colour stages. Needlework embroidery (Suzan-duzi): A broad term for Iranian needle embroidery on cotton, silk or wool grounds, including counted, darned and satin-stitch work used on covers, garments and prayer cloths.

Side by side

Qalamkar block printingNeedlework embroidery (Suzan-duzi)
Persian nameقلمکارسوزن‌دوزی
CategoryTextiles · Printed and painted clothTextiles · Surface embroidery
Materialscottoncotton, silk
Techniquesblock-printingsurface-embroidery
Regionsisfahansistan-baluchestan, isfahan, kerman
Periodssafavid, qajar, pahlavi, contemporarysafavid, qajar, contemporary
Motifsgol-o-morgh, eslimi-arabesque, botehboteh, gol-o-morgh
Current vitalityAt riskAt risk

What they share

  • Materials: cotton
  • Regions: isfahan
  • Motifs: gol-o-morgh, boteh
  • Periods: safavid, qajar, contemporary

How to tell them apart

  • Materials such as silk point towards Needlework embroidery (Suzan-duzi).
  • Qalamkar block printing typically involves block-printing.
  • Needlework embroidery (Suzan-duzi) typically involves surface-embroidery.
  • The stated place of making is a useful clue, but never proof on its own.

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Disclaimer

This comparison is educational and built from entries still under review. It cannot confirm what a particular object is.