Fatullo Kendjaev

Uzbekistan

Silk and Wool Natural Dyed Carpets

After graduating from the School of Art at Bukhara University, Fatullo was drawn to silk carpet designs from the Timurid Era (1370-1507), one of Islamic Art’s most brilliant periods. When he learned many old patterns had been lost, he copied carpet designs depicted in antique miniature paintings and recreated them with traditional weaving methods and natural dyes. With support from UNESCO, Fatullo founded and heads the Carpet Weaving Training School in Bukhara.

His success was rewarded with UNESCO aid enabling him to open a second school in the historic town of Khiva and much of the money he makes selling the carpets goes back into his school teaching others their heritage and making strides in re-establishing the art of Uzbek carpet making. In 2005 the training school won the UNESCO Seal of Excellence. Also in that year the school received an order from the Belgium State Museum to make a famous 9th century Bukhara designed carpet. The carpet school was provided with a sample of the original carpet so it could be recreated exactly.