Tatar Embroidery

Tatar embroidery is an integral part of the ancient culture of the Tatars. Although traditionally seen as exclusively part of domestic household decoration, embroidery was also used at a later stage as decoration for various costumes and accessories.

Tatar homes tended to be set up internally rather differently than their Russian neighbours. Most homes were not divided into separate rooms, thus giving scope for the extensive use of decorative textiles as room dividers. These textile dividers would of course contain detailed and accomplished embroidery patterns.

Embroidery pattern work derived from a number of influences. The Tatars living as they did between Russia and Central Asia were influenced design wise by two distinct cultures that were separated by religion. The traditional floral and representational pattern work of Christian Russia had a certain influence, but more so that of the ornamentation derived from the carpet and rug work of Islamic Central Asia. These often complex patterns were interpreted with a fair amount of sophistication and technical ability by the Tatars and were used throughout the domestic sector for the ornamentation of curtains, towels, table cloths, napkins and indeed carpets and rugs as well as a host of other household necessities.

Embroidery was also used extensively, as in other cultures for weddings and births, with particularly expensive and high status embroidery being saved and passed down through the generations to be reused by families for special occasions.

The images shown here are examples of Tatar embroidery put together by the Soviet Union as part of an exhibition of traditional embroidery from across the Union that was shown at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris. They are fine examples of a time consuming but exact skill, one that took years to master, but that could be handed down over the generations. It did its part in helping a culture to express its identity and thus allowing that culture to see itself as both unique and valuable in its own right.

There are a couple of interesting websites that deal with Tatar embroidery and its larger identity. The official website of the Republic of Tatarstan which has some images and information on Tatar embroidery can be found here. While another site promoting cultural tourism in Tatarstan, has a page devoted to traditional Tatar costume and can be found here.

Reference links:
Official website of the Republic of Tatarstan
Cultural Tourism in Tatarstan