cuffed

    So a costumer cuffed me! His name is kris. he bought a sumak. And now we are considering tea time. He told us a story of how when he bought rugs in Turkey: "This is just like buying rugs in turkey, except for they  serve you tea".

the big red Turkoman pile is back on the floor!

This week we put my favorite large rug back on the floor, in front of the stage! It's a soft red tribal pile rug from Turkmenistan, with the geometric black-line subtle pattern and soft wool, nice for sitting or dancing on. Turkmenistan is, by the way, that arid zone between Iran and Uzbekistan (homeland of the suzani tapestry) east of the Caspian sea, and just north of Mashhad, Iran's holy city, which geographically looks kind of like Tucson. 

Our store carries several smaller Turkoman tribal rugs also, though this big red one is a customer favorite. Come by and check it out in person! Or, you can get a glimpse of it here. It's 10' x 14' and retails for $10,000  - a desert palace furnishing like no other. 

More adventures in the suzani room

1979 Uzbek cotton/silk suzani, $200

  The suzani room of People's Imports: a place of bliss, history, and a little bit of mystery...where the trans-Saharan caravan and the Silk Road meet on a tapestry.  As we have rearranged the space by region and decorated the walls, old and new items keep telling us their stories.

Uzbek (Bukhara?) all-silk prayer suzani, $249

 First there was the classic Uzbek suzani signed and dated 1979, same year as the Iranian revolution and during the later period of Soviet rule. The artist still filled her canvas with nature's beauty and the gifts of the region's earth goddess, whom we found to have been Anahita. Then, the all-silk pink prayer suzani, unique in color and material, with palm trees and more Islamic iconography. A few moments with this one and we are watching an epic sunset at a bazaar in Bukhara. 

Uzbek prayer suzani, cotton/silk, $125

Then, as the Yoruba and Benin sculptures (both of Nigeria, more on that later) were organized by tribe, we filled the space beween them at the room's east end with our other prayer suzani. More classic in color and design, it also balances the Islamic with the nature-worship before it.

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Thioup from Senegal, 100% cotton, $150

Lying on a wooden stool in the room is this yellow Thioup (cotton tapestry), newly arrived from Senegal. The printed floral pattern is much simpler then the suzani and is unlike anything else from Africa in the shop. The Thies region of Senegal (West Africa on the Atlantic) is known for its tapestries, and you can read more about them here.

Just another day in the temple we call the suzani room. Next time, Yoruba beadwork and Benin bronze go "head to head" on a Turkish wedding blanket.
 

Nimba's Male Mistery

Nimba

      
    One of my favorite things in the store is Nimba, a stylized four legged protector. I have found her mentioned in a number of books leading to discovering more pictures of her on the internet.
      The weird part of this search is any mention of her male counter part has been absent....

     So, this has inspired me to find out as much as possible about Nimba and even more about her mysterious male counter part. The worse part is I have a superstitious fear of mistaking any the masks or statues identities. I will post anything and everything I find!

Nimba's male

New Suzanni Room

      About a month ago a very engaging costumer, with a handful of visits already to People's Imports in just a few weeks finished with a purchase. The item although not much in price, size or glitz; an eight intwined African figure stand that collapses, when taken from the Suzanni room caused a cataclysm of change. First to go was the glass sheet that the stand held, along with six or so Benin bronze cast heads.
        As I stood before a room full of disorganization dishevelment (due to the unbarring of said stand) I came to a quick, easy decision (or so I thought). I would set the statues together with ones of there same style, tribe or location. The Benin bronze castings already took up the corner, then came the Yaruba head dresses and statues, followed by the tribes of the congo on south and finally cut off by the bed. The grouping fades away on the other side of the bed where Ari, Daltin and I have hung the pillow cases we have neatly all over the wall.

Amazing what one little missing piece can do to the picture of the entire puzzle!

Healing Gemstone Pendants (costumer search)

While cleaning one day, Ari and I found an interesting document buried and forgotten. Since then A thick simple typed up page titled Healing Gemstone Pendants has been sitting on top of People's main showcase. Then today a curious costumer named Kristin asked if we might have copies.

In all reality, this was deemed deserving of a re-do for your viewing:

Healing Gemstone 

Pendants

Aventurine- is a good luck stone, especially in financial matters. Stimulates creativity, intelligence and perception. A great healing stone, it gives a sense of mental and emotional well-being.

Amethyst- is said to remove stress. It is nature's grand cleanser and also functions as a spiritual stimulant. It can also enhance the dream state. Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February.

Bloodstone- is considered a powerful healing stone with many magical properties. In ancient folklore, bloodstone was said to give off audible sounds as a guide. It gives one the ability to banish evil and negativity of all kinds.

Carnelian- is an energy booster. It helps the insecure person to find strength within them so they can come into their own. It is said to increase the appetite. In addition it can help with manifestation of one's desires, and brings good luck.

Citrine- is known as a "success" stone because it is said in folklore to promote success and abundance, especially in business and commerce. Its lore also says that it enhances mental clarity, confidence, happiness and will power. Citrine is purported to bring good fortune, sometimes in very unexpected ways.

Leopard Skin Jasper- helps discover and connect with one's animal totems or "power" animals. This is a protective stone, and it is particularly protective during shamanistic journeys.

Obsidian- Can be used to stimulate growth of the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual centers, and to provide strength in times of need. It further provides vitality to one's lifework and/or fulfillment of one's aspirations.

Quartz Crystal- remarkable tools for healing. Great protector and exquisite channelers and transmitter of divine energy. Crystals enhance pureness, clarity and depth. They cause one to be more clear and open.

Red Jasper- A gem stone of will power. Wearing red jasper jewelry it is said to stimulate a war like nature. And prepare one for conflict by giving energy and courage. Is thought bring protection from danger and dangerous situations.

Rose Quartz- Is a calming agent on the heart center, Healing any blocks that may exist. This quartz carries with it the quality of acceptance, forgiveness, and universal love.

Sodalite- Helps the wearer to think rationally and form logical conclusions. It is an excellent stone for working in groups as it helps the members to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and self esteem. Enhancing solidarity and enabling the group to establish common purpose and work together towards their goals.

Smokey Quartz- Can transform negative energy patterns. It tends to penetrate and dissolve energy fields which have been generated from negative forms, anger and resentment.
 
Tiger's Eye- Is a stone of protection that is also very grounding. It enhances integrity, will power, practicality and correct use of power. It is a stone that enhances good luck and brings prosperity often in the form of money. Especially protective during travel.

Ari and I have already discussed having a discussion regarding this post thru the comments of this blog and you are more than welcome to join in.

An Introduction

Arianna and "The Peace Keeper"

  Here in the dusty desert of Tucson hidden amoungst The Lost Barrio is our shop or maybe it's a gallery, called People's Imports! This place houses treasures that have traveled here from around the world. Arianna and I (Kat) have an understanding in Tribal kilims (as well as other weaves), Suzanis, African instruments (Djembes, Balafons, etc.) and Lapis (along with many other kinds of) jewlery!

Kat and a few Burmese puppet

 


    As we discover more and more about these amazing things from exotic lands we will bring you along and keep you updated on what the store is doing! From new products to sales to parties, Ari and I will do our best to keep you updated and informed!
  

    People's Imports

276 S. Park Ave.

(520) 903-1202