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| What Are the Features and Categories of Chinese
Embroidery? |
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Embroidery
is an excellent traditional technology with a long
history in China . It is a handicraft to embroider
various designs with different kinds of threads and
materials on fabric. The unearthed silk painting
and embroidery prove that as early as more than 3000
years ago, there was already splendid silk with veiled
design and of various colors . At present, the piece
of embroidery of the Shang Dynasty found in Henan
Province is the earliest embroidery handicraft in
China . The rhombus, folding waves design with twisted
thread at the edge show that the technology had reached
a rather developed level. In a Western Zhou Tomb
in Baoji , Shaanxi Province , a piece woven by the
braid-strand method was found, which is still used
today. The smooth lines and neat stitches showed
the skill. |
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The production
of embroidery products has not only promoted the productivity
in China , but also influenced the international cultural
life. In the Qin and Han dynasties ( 221 B.C. -220 A. D.),
it had reached a fairly high level and had become an important
mechandise for export. Being the homeland of silk, there
was an old custom in China that the rich people took the "embroider
boudoir" as their proof of loyalty and chastity while
the poor people took the skill of embroidery and weaving
as their profession. In the Qing Dynasty ( 1644-1911 A.
D.), the folk embroidery of different provinces all had
their own characteristics and formed the four famous categories
of embroidery, i.e. suxiu in Suzhou, xiangxiu in Hunan,
shuxiu in Sichuan and yuexiu in Guangdong. Beside these,
there were jingxiu in Beijing , ouxiu in Wenzhou , guxiu
in shanghai, miaoxiu of the Miao nationality, etc. Each
had its own distinct styles. The methods included crisscrossing,
mixing, netting, scattering, etc. The flowers, birds and
beasts on the embroidery were all as vivid as real living
ones. |
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Since 1949, the
art of oil painting, Chinese painting and photography have
been applied to embroidery at such a terrific effect that
they look like paintings from distance and embroidery at
close range. The scope of usage also has expanded from
theatrical costumes to pillow cases, table cloths, screens,
wall hangings, clothes, etc. It is also a traditional exporting
product, which is of high economic value. |
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| The four famous categories of embroidery embody
the characteristics and artistic value of Chinese embroidery. |
Suxiu is
famous for its neat stitches, elegant colors and fine quality.
Smooth, bright, neat, even, fine and tight are its features.
The subjects are mostly little animals like cats, fish
and shrimps. The double-sided embroidery, with the two
sides either identical or different, is of exquisite workmanship.
For example, the cat's eyes are of different colors on
the two sides, which is done by superb skill. |
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Xiangxiu has
bright colors. With Chinese paintings as its background,
clouds, mountains, rivers, pavilions, birds and animals
are embroidered realistically. The techniques of xiangxiu
is manifested fully especially in the embroidery of tigers
and lions , with their hair embroidered in fine bold lines.
There goes a saying: On xiangxiu, birds can sing, tigers
can run, flowers are fragrant and people are lifelike. |
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Shuxiu is
characterized by its simple structure, bright colors, well-knit
stitches, smooth surface and traditional decorator designs
like squares and stripes. Its subjects are mostly butterflies,
carps, pandas, etc. |
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Yuexiu is
done by embroidering with gold and silver threads, which
are neat and bright. It has a tight layout, decorator designs
and a gorgeous surface. Yuexiu is mostly used in theatrical
costumes and wedding gowns. Lychee and peacocks are its
traditional subjects. |
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