Chinese Embroidery

TOPSu Embroidery

Suzhou or Su embroidery has a history of over 2000 years. It was produced on a large scale during the Song Dynasty. In the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty, Shen Shou, a master embroiderer, combined Japanese and Western fine arts with traditional Chinese embroidery skills to create a unique style. Su embroidery is very elegant, with simple designs highlighting a main theme. The stitching is smooth, dense, thin, neat, even, delicate and harmonious. The thin threads are divided into numerous strands that are barely visible to the naked eye. Double-sided embroidery has the same patterns on both sides and uses an embroidering method that shows no seams in the stitches. Su embroidery has become increasingly famous throughout the world.

TOP Xian g embroidery

Xiang embroidery was initiated in the Chu Kingdom of the Warring States Period. It had become the main craft in places around Changsha , capital city of Hunan Province, in the Qing Dynasty. Xiang embroidery was developed from Hunan folk embroidery methods, but it also incorporated the skills of Su embroidery and Yue embroidery. The stitching is loose and not as neat as those of other embroidery styles. Designs on Xiang embroidery were derived from traditional Chinese paintings of landscapes, human figures, flowers, birds and animals. The most common designs on Xiang embroidery are lions and tigers. Xiang embroidery won the best award in the Torino World Fair in Italy in 1912 and the First Award in the Panama World Fair in 1933.

TOPShu embroidery

Shu embroidery was developed in Chengdu , the capital city of Sichuan Province. It is also known as “Chuan embroidery”. The varied stitching methods form their unique local style. The products themselves, made with soft satins, include quilt covers, pillow covers, back cushions, tableclothes, scarves and handkerchiefs. Designs on Shu embroidery feature traditional Chinese paintings of landscapes, human figures, daily articles, flowers, birds and animals. Shu embroidery is still produced in China today.

TOPYue embroidery

Yue embroidery has a history of over 1000 years and was popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Imperial Palace has collections of Yue embroidery on display. The designs of Yue embroidery are rich and detailed. The workmanship is elaborate and meticulous. Ancient Chinese craftsmen used peacock feathers twisted together as the embroidering thread to stitch the ornamental designs; horse hairs were used to stitch the outline to make the work more expressive.

Yue embroidery won worldwide acclaim in the Panama Exhibition and the London Competition in 1915 and 1923 respectively. The embroidery is smooth and even. One type, gold and silver cushion embroidery, creates a magnificent three-dimensional effect. Yue embroidery has a wide range of designs, the most common ones being birds worshipping the sun, dragons and phoenixes. Yue embroidery with its strong local style has gained popularity among compatriots in Hong Kong , Macao and international communities.

TOPGu embroidery

Gu embroidery originated from the Gu family in Shanghai during the Ming Dynasty. Many celebrities’ daughters like to receive this embroidery as gifts before their marriage.

Gu embroidery uses figures, mountains and rivers as themes. The threads used are light and plain, giving the finished work a feeling of tranquility and elegance. Meticulous and fine stitching leaves no trace of needle mark. Gu embroidery combines the skills of painting and embroidery. This technique has exerted great influence on Chinese embroidery development.

Gu embroidery has been exported to American, Japan, Britain, Italy, and Australia.

TOPMiao embroidery

Miao embroidery is a unique art of the Miao minority people. It has its regional characteristics and techniques. The stitches are unique and varied. The designs involve propitious animals such as kylin, dragon, phoenix, insect, fish, flowers and fruits. Profuse colors are used, for instance, scarlet, pink, purple, dark blue, Cambridge blue, bottle green, orange, and yellow.