Chinese embroidery as a kind of decorative needlework has a history of over 2,000 years. Archaeological findings suggest that the embroidery work started in the Zhou dynasty. In the Ming dynasty, this industry reached its peak. Ancient merchants who came to China through the Silk Route carried beautiful embroideries produced in this country to every corner of the world. Now, you can see many beautiful embroidery shops when shopping in Beijing.
Admire a piece of Chinese embroidery, and you can discover that its gorgeous details remind you of a beautiful woman: its elegance, grace, and depth all make you think of a cultured person in China’s past. This is one reason needlework in China is called “Nu Hong,” or “Lady’s Red.”
Of all the local embroidery styles in China, the “Four Major Embroideries” are the most famous. They are Su embroidery, Xiang embroidery, Yue embroidery, and Shu embroidery.
Su embroidery originated in the area around Suzhou, Jiangsu province. If you are looking for the most exquisite style of Chinese embroidery, this is it. People around the world seek Su embroidery for its exquisite patterns and unparalleled craftsmanship. Vivid colors, lifelike figures, and refined techniques are all the things that make it so famous. It is said that even real animals sometimes look dull when compared to the animals depicted on a Su embroidery work.
Xiang embroidery originated in areas around Changsha, Hunan province. Of all styles, this style bears the closest resemblance to Chinese brush painting. You can often appreciate the same kind of void and solid imagery found in a traditional Chinese painting. Its excellent use of contrast of light and shade creates an impressive three-dimensional effect. All of this helps bring out the inner beauty of things. It is said that on a Xiang embroidery work, “Flowers give off fragrance, birds sing songs, tigers run, and figures come alive.”
Yue embroidery is crafted in areas around Chaozhou, Guangdong province. This style is famous for its vivid patterns and vibrant colors. Unlike Xiang embroidery that focuses on bringing out the inner spirits of things, Yue embroidery emphasizes on depicting the outer beauty of objects. On a piece, all the details are closely arranged to contribute meaning to the main theme, with very little space left unworked.
Shu embroidery is made in areas around Chengdu, Sichuan province. In the past, it used to be the most popular embroidery style in all of China. It became famous as early as Eastern Han dynasty. People like it for its delicate colors, even stitching, and sophisticated craftsmanship. Nowadays it is commonly used to decorate everyday items like quilts, pillows, and clothes.
There are other embroidery styles in China, including Gu embroidery, Long embroidery, Xinzhou embroidery, Jinnan embroidery, and a number of ethnic styles used by the different ethnic minority groups living in China.
When shopping, look for embroidery work that uses high quality thread, has intricate designs, and demonstrates a high level of workmanship. The notion of fake work doesn’t apply here, since any style can be used by anyone to create embroidery items.
Keep the embroidery work you buy in a dry place with sufficient air and no direct sunlight, and it can keep its like-new condition for a very long time. For more information on selecting high quality works and how to preserve them well, ask the artist himself or find a personal shopper when shopping in Beijing.
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