Chinese embroidery

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An elaborate Chinese silk embroidery, approx. 1875-1900, Qing Dynasty. Woman's summer robe Asian Art Museum SF 2004.36 central embroidery detail.JPG
An elaborate Chinese silk embroidery, approx. 1875–1900, Qing Dynasty.

Chinese embroidery refers to embroidery created by any of the cultures located in the area that makes up modern China. It is some of the oldest extant needlework. The four major regional styles of Chinese embroidery are Suzhou embroidery (Su Xiu), Hunan embroidery (Xiang Xiu), Guangdong embroidery (Yue Xiu) and Sichuan embroidery (Shu Xiu). All of them are nominated as Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Contents

History

Chinese embroidery has a long history since the Neolithic age. Because of the quality of silk fibre, most Chinese fine embroideries are made in silk. Some ancient vestiges of silk production have been found in various Neolithic sites dating back 5,000–6,000 years in China. Currently the earliest real sample of silk embroidery discovered in China is from a tomb in Mashan in Hubei province identified with the Zhanguo period (5th–3rd centuries BC). After the opening of Silk Route in the Han dynasty, the silk production and trade flourished. In the 14th century, the Chinese silk embroidery production reached its high peak. Several major silk brocade styles had been developed, like Song Jin (宋锦 Song brocade) in Suzhou, Yun Jin (云锦 Cloud brocade) in Nanjing and Shu Jin (蜀锦 Shu brocade) in Sichuan.

Today, most handwork has been replaced by machinery, but some very sophisticated production is still hand-made. Modern Chinese silk embroidery by hand is still common in southern China.

Genres

Major styles

Screen with Suzhou embroidery. Shuzhou.manufaktura.jedwabny.haft.artystyczny.JPG
Screen with Suzhou embroidery.

Other styles

Gu embroidery being created. Gu embroidery.jpg
Gu embroidery being created.

Ethnic styles

Other Chinese ethnic groups, like Bai, Miao, Zhuang and Tibetan people also have their own style of embroidery, which usually depicts a mythical or religious topic.

Common forms of stitches

See also

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Hunan embroidery, or Xiang embroidery, as one of the traditional folk arts of China, together with Cantonese embroidery, Sichuan embroidery and Suzhou embroidery, is regarded as the four most distinguished embroidery styles in China. It is a general name for the embroidery products which rise from and are mostly produced at Changsha, Hunan, with distinct characteristics of Chu culture. Hunan embroidery is particularly famous in embroidering with silk thread, and the patterns have a high sense of reality. In 2006, Hunan embroidery was selected into the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list.

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Yue embroidery, or Guangdong embroidery, is a style of embroidery folk art of the Chaoshan and Pearl River Delta region. It encompasses Guangzhou embroidery (广绣) and Chaozhou embroidery (潮绣). It is one of the well-known "four great embroideries of China", the other three being Sichuan embroidery, Suzhou embroidery and Xiang embroidery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzhou embroidery</span> Embroidery created near Suzhou, China

Suzhou embroidery, Su embroidery or Su xiu is the embroidery created around the city of Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. It is one of the oldest embroidery techniques in the world and is the most representative type of art in Chinese embroidery. One of the well-known "four great embroideries of China" along with Cantonese embroidery, Sichuan embroidery and Xiang embroidery, Suzhou embroidery already has a history more than 2,000 years and is an important form of handicraft in the history of Chinese art and folk custom, representative of Chinese traditional folk arts. It is famous for its variety of stitches, beautiful patterns, elegant colors, and consummate craftsmanship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sichuan embroidery</span> Style of embroidery folk art native to Sichuan and Chongqing

Sichuan embroidery or Shu embroidery, is a style of embroidery folk art native to Sichuan and Chongqing, particularly renowned for its brocade fabrics known as Shu brocade. This technique of embroidery originates from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, during the time of the Ancient Kingdom of Shu. An excavation of four tombs dating back to the Western Han dynasty, on Mount Laoguan located in Tianhui Town, Chengdu, has confirmed the use of patterning looms for weaving warp-faced compounds in that period.

References

  1. "Chinese double-sided embroidery introduction, two-faced embroidery or double sides embroidery". www.suembroidery.com.