Kyrgyz. Kyrgyzstan.
Dyed wool, reeds, cloth. H: 69" (175.3 cm), L: 116" (294.6 cm).

Kyrgyz reed screens, known locally as chii (or chiy), are traditional patterned mats made by nomadic women in Kyrgyzstan
for use inside and around a yurt (a round felt tent). Made from chii, a tall (about 1.5 meters) steppe grass with smooth, polished
stems, harvested in September. Women individually wrap the reed stems with colorful, dyed wool yarn, then braid or join them
together using threaded weights on a simple two-legged wooden loom. The geometric and symbolic patterns relate to those
found on traditional Kyrgyz felt rugs, flat woven kilims, and silk ikat textiles. They are placed between the wooden lattice frame
and the outer felt cover to insulate the yurt and add vibrant interior decoration. They are also used as room dividers and door
screens to filter light and air while maintaining privacy.

The wool patterns woven onto the reed screens serve as a visual language rooted in nomadic daily life, nature worship, and
spiritual protection. Because screens are traditionally crafted by women for household use and bridal dowries, the motifs act
as blessings for the family living inside the yurt. Animals were vital to pastoral survival and tribal identity, so stylized body parts,
including ram and deer horns, animal paws, and birds of prey frequently appear on screens to invoke strength and protection.
Additional designs of hooks, scrolls, and triangular shapes represent protective talismanic motifs.

Ex: Fred and Stella Krieger collection, by family descent. Los Angeles, CA.