Bugzhoma or Bedding Ornament, Uzbekistan

Red cloth with a green wreath of blooms, backed by a ragged black fringe.

This bugzhoma, or bedding ornament is from Uzbekistan, and dates to the 20th century. It is embroidered cotton. Central Asian embroidery is usually worked in stitches that cover the ground cloth, creating dense surfaces that vary by region and by the hand of the maker. At first glance, a square red textile with an L-shaped border of yellow and white flowers inside a narrow zigzag trim. A ring of dark green leaves and flowers curls inside the corner around a white center. Black loosely knotted fringe extends behind two sides. It is 34 inches wide.

The wreath wins, and the fringe sulks in black.