Introduction to Chinese Embroidery.docx

1、Introduction to Chinese EmbroideryIntroduction to Chinese EmbroideryEmbroidery as a Chinese handicraft has long been an important facet of traditional Chinese arts and crafts. Practiced all over the country, Chinas most famous works of embroidery come from Suzhou (abbr. Su), Hunan (abbr. Xiang), Sic

2、huan (abbr. Shu) and Guangdong (abbr. Yue). Embroidery as a folk art is imbued with the distinct characteristics of its locality. As an art form it features exquisite craftsmanship, immaculate execution and strong aesthetic appeal. Su (Suzhou) Embroidery is crafted in areas centered on Suzhou, Jiang

3、su Province. It is noted for its beautiful patterns, elegant colors, variety of stitches, and consummate craftsmanship. A needle creates Su embroidery on fabric as a brush paints a picture on canvas. Stitching is meticulously skillful, coloration subtle and refined. Xiang (Hunan) Embroidery comes fr

4、om areas centered on Changsha, capital of Hunan Province. It is distinct for its starkly elegant black, white and gray coloration. Its emphasis is on contrasts of light and shade that highlight the pattern texture to give a three-dimensional effect. Xiang Embroidery composition combines void and sol

5、id imagery, utilizing empty space in the same way as Chinese ink-and-wash paintings. Yue (Guangdong or Guang) Embroidery includes that crafted in Chaozhou. It is composed of intricate but symmetrical patterns, vibrant colors, varied stitches and a defined weave. Its use of primary colors, light and

6、shade are reminiscent of Western paintings. Shu (Sichuan) Embroidery comes from areas centered on Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Its raw materials are satin and colored silk, its craftsmanship painstaking and refined. The emphasis is on even stitching, delicate coloration, and local flavor. S

7、ichuan embroidery is used to decorate quilt covers, pillowcases, garments, shoes and painted screens. Choice of image apart, the successful creation of a work of embroidery pivots on stitching methods, coloration, and their combination. These factors are decisive when applying distinct embroidery te

8、chniques to the depiction of figures, objects, animals, backgrounds, landscapes and ornaments. Organic development and accumulation over centuries has made embroidery a complete art of rich patterns and malleable forms that evoke intense aesthetic pleasure. Works fall naturally into different series

9、 according to subject matter and technique. They include oil painting, traditional Chinese painting, water towns, flowers, greeting cards, pigeons and flower vases. Examples of practical-use embroidered articles are garments, handkerchiefs, scarves and greeting cards. On display are scores of embroi

10、dered works, including daily-use articles from Suzhou and Hunan. The techniques and artistic accomplishments these works imbue are a true reflection of modern Chinese embroidery. Embroidery, a folk art with a long tradition, has an important position in the history of Chinese arts and crafts. In its

11、 long development embroidery has been inseparable from silkworm raising and silk reeling and weaving. China was the first country in the world to weave silk. Silkworms were domesticated as early as some 5,000 years ago. The production of silk threads and fabrics gave rise to the art of embroidery. I

12、n 1958, a piece of silk embroidered with a dragon and phoenix was discovered in a state of Chu tomb of the Warring Sates Period (475-221BC). More than 2,000 years old, it is the earliest piece of Chinese embroidery ever unearthed. Embroidery became widespread during the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) and

13、 many embroidered pieces discovered date back to that period. Today, silk embroidery is practiced nearly all over China. The Four Famous Embroideries of China refer to the Xiang embroidery in central Chinas Hunan Province, Shu embroidery in western Chinas Sichuan Province, Yue embroidery in southern

14、 Chinas Guangdong Province and Su embroidery in eastern Chinas Jiangsu Province. Xiang Embroidery Xiang embroidery is well known for its time-honored history, excellent craftsmanship and unique style. The earliest piece of Xiang embroidery was unearthed at the No 1 Tomb of Mawangdui, Changsha City o

15、f the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220). The weaving technique was almost the same as the one used in modern times, which demonstrated that embroidery had already existed in the Han Dynasty. In its later development, Xiang Embroidery absorbed the characteristics of traditional Chinese paintings and formed i

16、ts own unique characteristics. Xiang embroidery experienced its heyday at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and in the early Republic of China (early 20th century), even surpassing Su embroidery. After the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, Xiang embroidery was further improved and dev

17、eloped to a new level. Xiang embroidery uses pure silk, hard satin, soft satin and nylon as its material, which is connected with colorful silk threads. Absorbing the spirit of Chinese paintings, the embroidery reaches a high artistic level. Xiang embroidery crafts include valuable works of art, as

18、well as materials for daily use. Shu Embroidery Also called Chuan embroidery, Shu embroidery is the general name for embroidery products in areas around Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Shu embroidery enjoys a long history. As early as the Han Dynasty, Shu embroidery was already famous. The central govern

19、ment even designated an office in this area for its administration. During the Five Dynasties and Ten States periods (907-960), a peaceful society and large demand provided advanced conditions for the rapid development of the Shu Embroidery industry. Shu embroidery experienced its peak development i

20、n the Song Dynasty (960-1279), ranking first in both production and excellence. In the mid-Qing Dynasty, the Shu embroidery industry was formed. After the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, Shu embroidery factories were set up and the craft entered a new phase of development, using innovativ

21、e techniques and a larger variety of forms. Originating among the folk people in the west of Sichuan Province, Shu embroidery formed its own unique characteristics: smooth, bright, neat and influenced by the geographical environment, customs and cultures. The works incorporated flowers, leaves, anim

22、als, mountains, rivers and human figures as their themes. Altogether, there are 122 approaches in 12 categories for weaving. The craftsmanship of Shu embroidery involves a combination of fine arts, aesthetics and practical uses, such as the facings of quits, pillowcases, coats, shoots and screen cov

23、ers. Yue Embroidery Also called Guang embroidery, Yue embroidery is a general name for embroidery products of the regions of Guangzhou, Shantou, Zhongshan, Fanyu and Shunde in Guangdong Province. According to historical records, in the first year of Yongyuans reign (805) during the Tang Dynasty (618

24、-907), a girl named Lu Meiniang embroidered the seventh volume of the Fahua Buddhist Scripture on a piece of thin silk 30 cm long. And so, Yue embroidery became famous around the country. The prosperous Guangzhou Port of the Song Dynasty promoted the development of Yue embroidery, which began to be

25、exported at that time. During the Qing Dynasty, people animal hair as the raw material for Yue embroidery, which made the works more vivid. During Qianlongs reign (1736-1796) of the Qing, an industrial organization was established in Guangzhou. At that time, a large number of craftsmen devoted thems

26、elves to the craft, inciting further improvements to the weaving technique. Since 1915, the work of Yue embroidery garnered several awards at the Panama Expo. Influenced by national folk art, Yue embroidery formed its own unique characteristics. The embroidered pictures are mainly of dragons and pho

27、enixes, and flowers and birds, with neat designs and strong, contrasting colors. Floss, thread and gold-and-silk thread embroidery are used to produce costumes, decorations for halls and crafts for daily use. Su Embroidery With a history of more than 3,000 years, Su embroidery is the general name fo

28、r embroidery products in areas around Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. The craft, which dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), became a sideline of people in the Suzhou area during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Well known for its smoothness and delicateness, Su embroidery won Suzhou the title C

29、ity of Embroidery in the Qing Dynasty. In the mid and late Qing, Su embroidery experienced further developments involving works of double-sided embroidering. There were 65 embroidery stores in Suzhou City. During the Republic of China period (1912-1949), the Su embroidery industry was in decline due

30、 to frequent wars and it was restored and regenerated after the founding of new China. In 1950, the central government set up research centers for Su embroidery and launched training courses for the study of embroidery. Weaving methods have climbed from 18 to the present 40. Su embroidery features a

31、 strong, folk flavor and its weaving techniques are characterized by the following: the product surface must be flat, the rim must be neat, the needle must be thin, the lines must be dense, the color must be harmonious and bright and the picture must be even. Su embroidery products fall into three m

32、ajor categories: costumes, decorations for halls and crafts for daily use, which integrate decorative and practical values. Double-sided embroidery is an excellent representative of Su embroidery. In addition to the four major embroidery styles there are Ou embroidery of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province;

33、Bian embroidery of Kaifeng, Henan Province and Han embroidery of Wuhan, Hubei Province. Chinese embroidery 08:34, April 02, 2010 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 embro