The Kyrgyz and Their Reed Screens
NP: Published by the author, 1996. First edition. Hardcover. Folio. 163, [1]pp. Original photo-illustrated dust-jacket over cloth. Pioneering English language study of this type of Central Asian yurt decoration using many obscure Russian sources. "Reed Screens - basic furnishings of the Kyrgyz nomad's yurt - are made of tall grass stems, wrapped with dyed but unspun wool fibers, bound together. The art of the decorated reed screen has been raised to its highest level by Central Asian Kyrgyz and Kazak nomads. Nearly unknown here in the west, such reed screens often show the great skill of their master makers. Patterns and motifs resemble nomad flatwoven kilims (for which they may well be precursors), rugs, and felts. Writings of prominent Soviet ethnographers who have studied the Kyrgyz people, their traditional lifestyle, beliefs and customs are included here, translated into English. Fifty archival photographs showing Kyrgyz reed screens from the 'Kirghiz archaeological- ethnographical expedition'- are published here for the first time. Included also are 27 full-page color plates of Kyrgyz reed screens." -Publisher. Book is new, still in shrinkwrap. Fine in jacket. Item #37404
Price: $35.00