This St. Frank vintage piece was created in Uzbekistan and consists of delicate silk embroidery on a silk-cotton blend backing. Suzani embroidery, which is made with a tambour hook, is a classic Central Asian textile characterized by flowers and meandering vines. Typical of suzani, complex floral motifs are repeated in a regular grid pattern. The flowers symbolize fertility and fruitfulness. Another common element in suzani designs is the star motif, the central symbol of this piece. Here, the eight-point star reveals Islamic influence. Suzani textiles are traditionally used as wall hangings or as a woman's marriage dowry. This decorative embroidery is also thought to possess a protective element.